Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has once again reiterated that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is not linked to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Musa said he briefed then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the police’s intention to arrest Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Najib, in connection with the case.

“Pak Lah (Abdullah) told me to inform Najib (who was then deputy prime minister) and I told him there was no need to do so,” he told a press conference.

However, upon the insistence of Abdullah, Musa met Najib and briefed him on the matter.

Musa said when he informed Najib, he replied: “Do your job”.

Razak Baginda was initially charged with abetting the murder of the Mongolian national in 2006 but was acquitted.

Two former police commandos Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.

Meanwhile, Musa said he felt compelled to clear the air once again following the “baseless allegations” surrounding the case.

He was responding to the Al Jazeera documentary titled ‘Murder in Malaysia’, which among others alleged that Sirul is attempting to blackmail Najib over the murder and quoted an unnamed relative of the ex-policeman claiming that Razak Baginda pulled the trigger.

Sirul had fled to Australia prior to the Federal Court overturning his acquittal in January and is currently being held at an immigration detention centre there.

Najib, who has repeatedly denied involvement in the case, described the Al Jazeera programme as a conspiracy to oust him.

Police will probe if there is fresh evidence

Musa’s successor Khalid Abu Bakar said police are probing Al Jazeera journalist Mary Ann Jolley ( photo ), who is based in Australia, over the report.

Khalid added that police are also not ruling out action against Malaysians who fed her with wrong information concerning the case.

“Don’t just dare to cook up a story, if you have evidence, be brave enough to lodge report,” said Musa, who is also the chairman of Malaysian Community Crime Care (MCCC).

He said the police will probe the case if there is fresh evidence, he said, adding that "there is justice in Malaysia”.

Musa alleged that those who continue to make allegations without proof are trying to tarnish the dignity and integrity of certain individual.

Although he said the claim that Razak Baginda pulled the trigger as "fiction", he rebutted the criticism that the motive of the murder was not established in court.

According to Musa, Altantuya’s police report has clearly outlined the motive which led to her death.

He said she was here in Malaysia to blackmail by demanding money and she was harassed in return.

When asked if he was upset that Razak Baginda was released, he said he accepted the court’s decision with disappointment.

On another issue, Musa said those who support the right to assembly should agree with the Sept 16 red shirt rally, which comes under Peaceful Assemby Act 2012.

“Under the PAA, the police have to allow the people to rally as this is freedom of expression. Everything is free now.

“If this is a peaceful assembly, then they have the right to assemble, regardless whether they are racist, chauvinist or communist,” he said.

“Isn’t that what you wanted? So, we have to accept it.”

The Sept 16 rally was first mooted to counter Bersih 4 and touted as a gathering to uphold Malay pride but organiser National Silat Federation or Pesaka later re-branded the rally as ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ and invited government supporters of all races to attend.

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