The judge hearing the Altantuya murder trial today visited the crime scene - a jungle clearing in Puncak Alam in Shah Alam, Selangor - this afternoon.

Prosecutors, defence lawyers and the three accused joined justice Mohd Zaki Md Yassin ( photo ) at the scene in what was a departure from the usual court room proceedings. Also present was a posse of reporters and television crew.

A steep and bumpy dirt track, barely wide enough for a vehicle, led to the forest clearing where prosecutors allege Altantuya was murdered by corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 36, and fellow officer chief inspector Azilah Hadri, 31.

The clearing was about five minutes away from the main road, Jalan Puncak Alam in Shah Alam. A rainy weather coupled with a slippery and muddy surface welcomed the visitors.

Under heavy security and a flurry of umbrellas, the judge, members of the prosecution team, and defense counsel were led to a police-cordoned area near the clearing.

The visitors spent some 10 minutes there with the prosecutors briefing the judge and defence lawyers on various matters pertaining to the case.

The area was buzzing with reporters and photographers scrambling to listen to the prosecution and capture a rare photo of the judge outside the courtroom.

A short detour

Ram Karpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for Altantuya's family, said that "the DPP pointed out the area of the blast and shooting, but didn't show us anything specific".

Counsel for Azilah, Kuldeep Kumar, concurred. Kuldeep told reporters later that "(Deputy Public Prosecutor) Noorin gave us a short briefing on the area".

"She said that this was where Altantuya's body was found and that this was the blast site. She said that once the bomb experts give evidence, it will be clearer," he added.

Azilah ( photo ) and Sirul were not brought out of the police cars during the briefing.

Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 47, who is charged with abetting to commit the crime was also present. He too was not brought out of the police vehicle.

Before arriving at the scene, the judge's entourage was first led to the " wrong crime scene " that ASP Tonny Lunggan had taken the forensics team to in the course of the investigation.

Lawyer Hasnal Rezua, for Sirul, told reporters that they merely passed by the 'wrong' area and did not get out of their cars.

Prayer items

Yesterday, Supt Zainol Samah, head of the Special Investigations Unit, testified that Sirul and Azilah had led a police party to Puncak Alam in the evening of Nov 6 last year. Altantuya's remains were found in the forest the next day.

The crime scene could only be reached using 4-wheel-drive vehicles due to rough and steep terrain.

The torrent weather also made conditions more difficult for vehicles to climb the steep terrain. The Subang dam is also located nearby.

At the "blast and shooting site", the visitors also found a blue scarf, a small crucifix, and some joss sticks.

These had been left behind by Altantuya's family who had offered prayers during their visit to the site last November.

Azilah and Sirul are charged with the murder which allegedly took place between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 last year.

The body of Altantuya was said to be blown up in the jungle clearing.

Abdul Razak is charged with abetting the murder between 9.54am on Oct 18 and 9.45pm on Oct 19 last year in Kuala Lumpur.

All three face the death penalty if convicted.

The high profile trial will continue tomorrow morning, back in court room 3 in the Shah Alam High Court.

Watch the one-minute video here.