The plight of the family of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu was taken to Parliament today, while the 222 newly-elected members gathered for their oath-taking ceremony.

parliament 2008 first day 280408 setev Altantuya’s father, Dr Shaariibuu Setev (photo) , was in the building this morning with a one-page letter appealing for the help of the MPs in relation to the case.

Shaariibuu had hoped to personally deliver the letter to both Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, after close to a four-hour wait, Shaariibuu failed to hand over the letter to Najib - who has repeatedly denied his involvement in the case. The deputy premier left the House in a different direction from where Shaariibuu was waiting.

Shaariibuu arrived at Malaysia last Monday night to follow the murder trial, but the hearing was postponed to May 5. This is his third trip.

At a press conference earlier, Shaariibuu’s lawyer Karpal Singh said he had written to Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail last week to ask for the trial to proceed without further postponements.

“If the trial goes on at this slow pace, justice may not be done,” the senior lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

parliament 2008 first day 280408 sharibuu setev Speaking through lawyer and translator Munkhasaruul Mijiddorj, Shaariibuu reiterated his request for humanitarian aid for Altantuya’s son who is sick.

“We have sent the letter (to Malaysian authorities) but we still haven’t obtained a response,” Shaariibuu said, adding that the letter to the MPs would be distributed through Karpal.

He also requested a moment of silent prayer for his daughter whose birthday falls today, according to Shaariibuu.

Last week, he claimed that ties between Mongolia and Malaysia may be severed if the court does not reach a fair decision in the trial.

He also said this had been communicated by the Mongolian prime minister to Abdullah last October, in a letter.

He, however, clarified today that he had only reliably learnt about the existence of the letter from the Mongolian authorities.

RM100 million suit

Altantuya’s remains was found on Oct 19, 2006. It is alleged that her body had been blown up with explosives at a secondary forest in Puncak Alam Shah Alam.

mongolian woman bombed altantuya 081106 Two Special Action Unit policemen, corporal Sirul Azhar Umar and chief inspector Azilah Hadri, have been charged with her murder, while political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda is accused of abetting them. They have pleaded not guilty.

All three face the death sentence should they be found guilty in the trial that began on July 4 last year. Shah Alam High Court Judge Mohd Zaki Md Yasin is presiding.

Altantuya has two sons, Mungunshagai Bayarjargal, 11 and Altanshagai Munkhtulga, 4. The younger child suffers from peripheral nerve paralysis and still does not know his mother has been murdered.

Her mother,Altantsetseg Sanjaa, recently suffered a heart attack, which is said to have placed a tremendous strain on the family.

Last year, Altantuya's family sued the three accused and the Malaysian government, seeking RM100 million in damages over her death.

The hearing of the civil suit has been put on hold pending the outcome of the murder trial.

Watch the 4-minute video here .