Lawyer Karpal Singh has again expressed his frustration over the possible delay of the civil suit filed by Altantuya Shaariibuu's father against the government and those responsible for her death in 2006.

parliament 2008 first day 280408 sharibuu setev He said Setev Shaariibuue's ( middle ) 2007 suit, seeking RM100 million damages from political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and the two police officers convicted for her killing in Shah Alam has been "stalled too long".

Criticisms against the judiciary abound as Abdul Razak, a close ally of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, was charged but later acquitted without his defence being called.

Karpal warned that the civil case would most likely be pushed back again since the duo - Najib former bodyguards - are appealing against their death conviction and the case will be heard only in August.

No more delays, please

He urged Chief Justice Ariffin Zakaria to speed up the appeal of the duo - Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar - on a date earlier than Aug 27 to prevent further delays in Shaariibuu's civil suit.

"Following the appeal, the case may likely go to the Federal Court. There'll be another delay there," lamented Karpal, who is representing Shaariibuu.

Four years ago, Shaariibuu, his spouse Altantsetseg Sanjaa, and their two grandsons Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga - then aged 13 and eight - had filed the suit against the trio.

altantuya and son 050309 They are seeking damages for suffering, sorrow, and physical and mental anguish,special, aggravated and punitive damages following her gruesome death by "blast-related injuries".

Meanwhile, Karpal said Altantuya's ( right ) murder happened in 2006, bringing Malaysia into "disrepute in the eyes of the international community".

"It is best that the case be brought to a closure. The government is answerable to the international community," he added.

Motive not essential?

Karpal was also asked to comment on the issue of "motive" for Altantuya's killing, where Shah Alam High Court judge Zaki Md Yasin in his 70-page judgement relayed after two years, was criticised for saying it was "significant but not essential" to justify not calling for Abdul razak's defense.

Zaki had noted that Abdul Razak may have had a motive to murder the Mongolian, as she was blackmailing him, adding it cannot be the basis for calling for the political analyst's defence.

It is widely believed that Altantuya acted as the Mongolian translator in Malaysia's Scorpene submarine purchase from Russia while Najib was deputy prime minister and defense minister.

Najib, who acceded to power as prime minister in 2009, has denied any involvement in the case.

Karpal said it was "unfortunate" that the question of why and who ordered the killing of the Mongolian never arose in the trial after Abdul Razak's acquittal.

"Motive is not only significant but essential in the case of Altantuya's murder. It is the motive which was behind the killing," he stressed.