LETTER |The clamour to reopen the Altantuya case is in furtherance of the inspector-general of police's statement on the matter.

It is unclear how the police are thinking of going about it but they or any other limb of the criminal justice system should not be considered for the second bite at the cake.

It's being further complicated by statements being made by Sirul Azhar, who is presently detained in Australia. It is more than disturbing, to say the least.

His allegations that witnesses who instructed them to carry out this heinous crime were not called during the proceedings are being repeated by many quarters in society.

It is weighing in on the conscience of all who are familiar with the case. Undoubtedly, Sirul's allegations from Australia are serious enough to warrant a re-look by those in position.

A neutral channel has to be deployed by our legal minds in ensuring impartiality and fairness to ensure a just outcome.

I am in agreement that Sirul's sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment as he was the lowest part of the chain of this murder.

This will facilitate his return to assist any inquiry that is set up although we have to be wary of his afterthought evidence.

An independent inquiry on the shortcomings at all stages of the case from investigations to proceedings should be conducted. It will encompass all the limbs of the criminal justice system for this case, to be led and scrutinised by legal experts.

Investigations in this inquiry, however, must resort to all its tools available to ensure that his version and others who are re-interviewed are consistent with the facts in issue and that whatever afterthought evidence that is given has not been tailored in their favour.

If it is hijacked by those with vested interests rather than justice, It can lead to another travesty of justice from a different perspective.

The normal process of allowing investigators to verify and clarify his evidence must be done thoroughly and professionally.

The police must abstain as the allegations involve their department as well as witnesses that are still in service apart from the fact that the two accused were ex-police officers.

Transparency this time around will be the key.

Material evidence allegedly left out has to be reviewed carefully and questions that are lingering now must be put to bed once and for all.

The relevant recommendations must in all totality ensure that justice is done to seal closure of this case once and for all.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.