The father of a slain Mongolian model today said he remained hopeful that his daughter was still alive as Malaysian officials began DNA tests on the flesh and bone samples found at the scene of a brutal murder.

"I believe Altantuya is still alive," Shaariibuu Setev told reporters, breaking his silence for the first time after his arrival here on Thursday.

"My family and I are praying that our daughter is still alive," he added.

Shaariibuu, a psychology professor at the National University of Mongolia, urged police to investigate without fear or favour.

"I hope the Malaysian police will do a thorough and transparent investigation with no cover-up," he said adding that the last time the family saw Altantuya was on Oct 7, before she arrived in Malaysia.

Shaariibuu provided blood samples to police on Friday to determine whether the remains are those of his daughter.

Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, Mongolia's honorary consul, said the results of the DNA test would be known in a week's time.

Choked with tears

The 56-year old father of Altantuya choked with tears when asked if he had identified the personal belongings of his daughter.

"I never expected this sort of cruel murder to happen to a very nice, 28-year-old girl like Altantuya," Shaariibuu said.

"I just cannot imagine it," he added, speaking through a translator.

Besides being a part-time model, Altantuya was a trained teacher and translator and spoke English, Russian and Chinese fluently, he said.

Altantuya, 28, was kidnapped outside the house of a prominent political analyst, her former lover who heads a think-tank linked to a top politician.

She was killed and her remains blown up with hand grenades and found in an isolated area south Kuala Lumpur.

The analyst, 46, was detained by police on Tuesday as part of the murder investigation but was hospitalised yesterday after being hit by chest infection.

Three members of the police force have also been arrested for alleged involvement in the murder, along with two private detectives.