Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should call for an independent probe over police conduct in the case of murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

 

DAP parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo ( right ) said the probe will determine whether the police had properly investigated the motive in the case.

 

"I call upon the prime minister to direct the set-up of an independent team to probe this matter," Gobind said in a statement.

 

"The prime minister needs to show that he is transparent and prepared to meet the challenge in this matter which has now developed international prominence."

 

The Puchong MP said questions still remain over the police investigations, so the police themselves cannot be tasked to reinvestigate.

 

These include why the motive was never established, and if it was established, why it was never raised during the trial.

 

"Surely, in these circumstances, the police are in a position of conflict, as what could be is a case of negligence on their part."

 

Probing own conduct?

 

Gobind said it was improper for the police to be in charge of an investigation that focuses on their own conduct.

 

"The IGP (Khalid Abu Bakar) has come up with some responses over this issue of late.

 

"With respect, these responses ought not to carry weight as he is an interested party as it is the conduct of his men which is being questioned."

 

The Altantuya case came under the spotlight again in the latest and most vitriolic attack made by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Najib, in which Mahathir had asked who had ordered the murder of the Mongolian national.

 

Najib was implicated in the murder when police commandos assigned to him as bodyguards were charged and convicted for the murder.

 

Najib’s associate Abdul Razak Baginda was charged for abetment but was acquitted.

 

Mahathir’s attack came after one of the commandos who had fled to Australia after his sentencing, claimed he had been ordered to carry out the gruesome murder.