Following a shocking statutory declaration (SD) from an ex-cop that fingered Najib Abdul Razak as having given the order for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, lawyers for the deceased Mongolian’s family urged the authorities to use the SD to renew the probe into her 2006 killing.

In a media statement issued today, DAP national legal bureau chairperson Ramkarpal Singh said that following the SD from former Special Action Force Unit (UTK) officer Azilah Hadri today, the authorities must investigate without fear or favour.

Ramkarpal is referring to the SD carried in Malaysiakini’s exclusive report today, which claimed that Azilah had been ordered by then deputy prime minister Najib, with the knowledge of Razak Baginda and senior police officer DSP Musa Safri, to murder Altantuya and dispose of her remains.

“If such allegations prove to be true, there must be a prosecution against those involved although Azilah and Sirul Azhar Umar have been convicted by the Federal Court for the said murder.

“There is no limitation period in criminal cases and one can be prosecuted for an offence despite a long time-lapse, provided there is evidence to support such prosecution.

“The family of Altantuya has, for years, demanded a thorough investigation into the question of who ordered the said murder in 2006, particularly when both Azilah and (former UTK officer) Sirul (Azhar Umar) had no possible motive in doing so.

“The revelations by Azilah in his said SD are indeed shocking and Altantuya’s family will apply to the Federal Court to hold a watching brief in the said Federal Court review application.

“Amongst others, we will also take the necessary steps to amend the civil suit of the family of Altantuya which is currently ongoing in the Shah Alam High Court to include the allegations contained in the said SD and the findings of the police investigation as a result,” Ramkarpal said.

Azilah’s SD formed part of his bid for the Federal Court to review its own verdict which convicted and sentenced him and Sirul Azhar to death for the murder of Altantuya in 2006. The review is set for case management before the apex court registry at the Palace of Justice tomorrow.

Altantuya’s family has also been locked in a protracted civil suit against Azilah and Sirul Azhar as well as the government over her death.

Ramkarpal said that instead of awaiting a fresh police report, the cops can just act on Azilah’s SD to initiate a renewed probe into the murder.

“A fresh statement must be taken from Azilah now and those he had implicated in his said SD, including Najib. I urge the Inspector-General of Police (Abdul) Hamid Bador to do so immediately in light of the seriousness of the said allegations.

“The mystery of who ordered the murder of Altantuya is one that must be eventually resolved and today’s development may be an important step in that direction.

“The family of Altantuya will not rest until the motive and personalities behind her brutal murder are revealed and those responsible are brought to justice,” Ramkarpal vowed.

In an immediate reaction, Malaysian Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor said the allegations in the SD warranted a police investigation.

“The police should immediately carry out investigations in relation to the contents of the SD to ascertain the truth of its contents,” he told Malaysiakini.

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