I refer to the Malaysiakini report April 9 - Decision on Altantuya murder case .

‘The real persons responsible are not in court today to face the consequence of their actions and plans...I have no intention to hurt and take the victim's life in such a violent manner. I do not know her (Altantuya) and have no personal business with her…’

This was the claim from the second accused murderer, Sirul Azhar Umar, who testified on Feb 4 that he had been made a ‘scapegoat’ by the police - to be sacrificed in order to protect their plans.

What plan did Sirul refer to? A plan to protect the real murderer(s) of Altantuya?

In addition to the mysterious accusation, we have heard of numerous ‘evidences’ or allegations throughout the murder trial, such as a letter from Najib Razak which supported Altantuya Shaariibuu's visa application; a photograph of Najib seated at the table with Altantuya during her birthday party and the presence of Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor in the murder scene.

These plus the allegation of a close associate of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, in abetting the murder; the SMS exchange between Najib and Abdul Razak’s lawyer; the missing of Abdul Razak’s private investigator P Balasubramaniam who produced a statutory declaration of Najib’s sexual relationship with Altantuya; the help from Musa Haji Safri, who was Najib’s then aide de camp , in solving the Altantuya problem; etc.

Even a three- year-old can notice a repetitive figure mentioned in the above allegations. Yes, a direct link involving Najib to almost everyone allegedly involved in the murder of Altantuya.

However, when asked by defense counsel Gobind Singh Deo on whether Najib was questioned by the investigation team for the above allegations, Gan Tack Guan, the chief investigating officer in the murder case, said:

‘Najib was not interrogated because the police had dismissed his involvement in the case.’

When asked how he knew that the content of the paragraphs in Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s (RPK) article did not take place without interrogating Najib, Gan’s response was ‘I got the facts from the investigator of the case ASP Tonny.’

Facts from ASP Tonny? Then present them! If you are so sure of the investigation concluded by the investigation team, shouldn’t you be able to defend yourself by showing the evidence(s) that justify the non-involvement of Najib in the murder?

What we need to see from you is evidence. The plain argument that ‘the facts relating to the existence of Najib and Rosmah were false’ without any proof is meaningless. The unjustifiable conclusion drawn from the insufficient investigation has further degraded the image of the Malaysian police system. It’s then hard not to believe that the report lodged against RPK was not of a political motivated action to shut RPK’s mouth.

Also, when asked about the letter that was presumably signed by Najib to support Altantuya’s visa application for entry into Malaysia, Gan responded:

‘Yes, it is fabricated (without any investigation) by Raja Petra because during Altantuya's murder investigation, there was no witness who came forward to testify on that matter. Therefore, in my opinion it was fabricated.’

How could this superintendent of police with 30 years of experience in the force keep on insisting on an ‘opinion’ that does not stand even the simplest test? Another point stressed by Gobind was the existence of a picture showing Najib and Altantuya together. When asked if any investigation was carried out on the photograph, the answer from Gan was again ‘No’.

‘You agree with me that it could have been easy to confirm this with Najib by merely asking him?’ asked Gobind but Gan again disagreed.

What an eye-opening scene. We have a veteran officer who for some reason has been refuting an overwhelming need to interrogate Najib. Do we presume him as someone not having the courage to question the Najib, the premier-in-waiting?

What is wrong with this country’s judicial system? On one side we have Altantuya’s father who has been zealously waiting for justice to take place. On the other, hordes of witnesses have been called into the court to testify except one, who could be the most significant witness in this case and possibly be able shed the light in helping get the real murderer(s) arrested.

For the sake of upholding justice and truth, Malaysians deserve a better chief investigating officer than someone who ‘does not know’, ‘cannot remember’ and worse ‘does not investigate’ and simply ‘based on my opinion’.

Since all these are indeed serious allegations that have painted an utterly ugly image on Najib, shouldn’t he then be the first one to step forward to cooperate with the investigation team to clear his name? What is he afraid of that he did not do it?

By no means should his swearing in the mosque justify his innocence. The rakyat does not want Altantuya to be just another ordinary victim on top of the 16 casualties in the National Service programme.

The failure of Gan in leading and conducting a thorough, proper, and fair investigation in this case cannot be more obvious. This is the time to have a truly professional and independent team to interrogate all parties allegedly involved in the murder case.

Would not all the mysterious allegations justify my pleas as follows?

1. Najib to be investigated due to his significant link to this case;

2. A new truly professional and independent investigation team be formed;

3. Gan to hand in all proof that justifies his report against RPK.

4. Have Najib suspended from all posts until he is clear of the allegations against him in this case.