An international media watchdog has condemned Malaysia's police for trying to stifle coverage of the murder of a Mongolian woman.

Press freedom group Reporters without Borders said police had put pressure on journalists over the murder, in which officers are suspected of being involved.

"Police have been summoning and putting pressure on journalists while the head of police has told the press that it was speculating dangerously," Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans Frontieres, RSF) said in a statement yesterday.

Malaysia's top police chief on Monday defended a move to haul in five journalists for their report on the gruesome murder of Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, a crime that has rocked the country.

Journalists summoned

Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said the journalists, from a Malay-language daily, were summoned on Sunday for questioning on the sources of their information.

The murder case has received huge press coverage, particularly since it was revealed that the woman had a relationship with a well known political analyst, Abdul Razak Baginda.

Abdul Razak, 46, was charged yesterday with abetting the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, whose body was blown up with hand grenades.

Abdul Razak is alleged to have abetted two policemen to commit the murder. All three could face the death penalty.

"In the midst of the media storm around the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, Reporters Without Borders condemns the attitude of the police, who seeing themselves under attack, are trying to force some journalists to reveal their sources," the organisation said.