Altantuya’s family pursuing out-of-court settlement with govt

On Dec 16 last year, the High Court awarded damages of RM5 million to the family of Altantuya Shaariibuu in a suit brought against the government and three individuals. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: The family of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, who secured a judgment for RM5 million in damages against the government, former political analyst Razak Baginda and two former policemen, is exploring the possibility of resolving the case with the defendants.

A source claimed that earlier this month, the family’s solicitors, Karpal Singh & Co, submitted a proposal to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a financial settlement in a bid to close the matter.

“This includes interest payable and costs,” the source told FMT.

FMT has reached out to lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, who appeared for the family in the High Court proceedings, for a response.

On Dec 16 last year, Justice Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, who now sits in the Court of Appeal, held the defendants liable for negligence and ordered that they pay the judgment sum jointly and severally.

However, on Jan 12, the government and Razak filed notices of appeal against liability and quantum.

Altantuya’s father, Shaariibuu Setev, his wife, Altantsetseg Sanjaa, and Altantuya’s son, Mungunshagai, filed the suit in 2007 claiming that there was a conspiracy surrounding her murder and seeking RM100 million in damages.

Also named as defendants were former police officers Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar.

In 2006, Altantuya, a model, was shot dead in a forest in Puncak Alam near Shah Alam. Her body was later blown up using C4 explosives.

Azilah and Sirul were convicted of her murder and sentenced to death.

Razak, a former aide to then deputy prime minister Najib Razak, was charged with abetting the duo, but was acquitted without his defence being called.

Sirul fled to Australia before the final appeal, while Azilah is on death row at Kajang prison. Neither challenged the family’s suit.

Vazeer ruled that Altantuya’s family had successfully proven their claim on a balance of probabilities against the four defendants.

He said the government, as the fourth defendant, was vicariously liable for the unlawful actions of Sirul and Azilah, which were carried out in their capacity as police officers.

In his judgment, Vazeer said Sirul and Azilah “deliberately shot” and “strapped explosives” onto Altantuya, and should be held accountable for their actions.

The judge said Razak, who took the position that he had no case to answer, was liable as the link between the two former policemen and Altantuya.