The Shah Alam High Court here has set March 30 to hear an application for the undertaking of costs by the Malaysian government and former political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda in relation to the RM100 million suit filed by the family of the late Altantuya Shaariibuu.

High Court deputy registrar Mohd Hafizi Abdul Halim set the date when the case came up for mention before him today.

Senior federal counsel Habibah Haron, who is representing the Malaysian government, when met by reporters afterwards, said the government and Abdul Razak filed the application to get the plaintiffs (Altantuya’s family) to deposit a certain amount of money with the court to assure that they would continue with the proceedings of the suit over the death of the Mongolian woman.

She said the court had also ordered the parties involved to file their written submissions prior to Feb 9 before proceeding to hear the application (undertaking of costs).

parliament 2008 first day 280408 sharibuu setev On June 4 2007, Altantuya’s parents, Shaariibuu Setev ( second from right ), Altantsetseg Sanjaa and Altantuya’s two children Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga sued the Government, Abdul Razak and two people accused of murdering her, chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, and demanded RM100mil in damages over her death.

In their statement of claim, the family among others cited that the mental shock and psychological trauma they suffered as a result of her death justified that they be paid exemplary and aggravated damages.

They further claimed that Altantuya was shot dead and her corpse blown up with C4 explosives by Azilah and Sirul Azhar, who are members of the police’s Special Action Unit (UTK), and that pieces of her body were found at a forested area in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, on Nov 7, 2006.

Family alleges conspiracy

The family also alleged that Abdul Razak had conspired with the two policemen concerned to murder Altantuya.

altantuya and son 050309 They further claimed that as a result of the actions of Azilah, Sirul Azhar and Abdul Razak, they suffered grief and loss especially Altantuya’s two children losing their mother’s love and their only source of livelihood.

Besides exemplary and aggravated damages, Altantuya’s family, who filed the suit throught the law firm of Messrs Karpal Singh & Co, are also seeking interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Abdul Razak, 49, was charged with abetting Azilah, 34, and Sirul Azhar, 38, in the murder of Altantuya, 28, in 2006. He was acquitted by High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yassin on Oct 31 2008 without his defence being called.

On April 9 2009, Azilah and Sirul Azhar were found guilty of murdering Altantuya and sentenced to death.

- Bernama