Malaysian Court Orders Damages in Mongolian Woman Murder Case

News Summary

A Malaysian court has ordered the government and Abdul Razak Baginda to pay over 9 million ringgit to the family of murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu. This ruling follows a long legal battle that highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding this high-profile case from 2006. The family hopes the payment will be enforced as they continue to seek justice after enduring years of emotional turmoil and legal setbacks.

Mongolian Woman Murder Case: Malaysian Court Delivers Ruling and Damages

In a significant development regarding the tragic case of murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Malaysian court has ordered the government and a key figure, Abdul Razak Baginda, to pay over 9 million ringgit (that’s roughly $2 million) to her family. This ruling, delivered on February 12, requires the government to place RM4.7 million (approximately S$1.42 million) into the lawyer’s account for Ms. Shaariibuu’s family within the next 30 days.

Potential Future Payments

If the government’s appeal against this ruling does not go their way by May 19, the payment will be released to Ms. Shaariibuu’s family. The court’s decision is rooted in a previous acknowledgment of liability regarding her murder. Abdul Razak Baginda, known for being a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak, also faces the same financial obligation, needing to deposit RM4.7 million.

Background on the Case

For those unaware, the case has a dark history. Ms. Shaariibuu was involved with Razak during a time when she worked as a translator connected to Malaysia’s purchase of submarines from a French company in 2002. This submarine deal has been under investigation for corruption, not just in Malaysia but also in France.

Timeline of Events

This deeply troubling case drew attention when the Malaysian government, Razak, and two former policemen were found jointly responsible for her murder back in 2022. The family has since pushed for enforcement of the court’s previous judgment, seeking payment after noticing that damages awarded by the court remained unpaid.

In October 2006, Ms. Shaariibuu was horrifically murdered using military-grade explosives, and her dismembered remains were found in a forest near Kuala Lumpur. In the lead-up to her disappearance, it was reported that she was seen outside Razak’s residence, apparently seeking payment. Two former policemen, Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, were convicted of her murder, but the court never established a clear motive for this heinous crime.

Judicial Proceedings

While Razak faced trial for allegedly abetting the murder, he was acquitted of all charges. In a twist, Azilah later claimed from death row that the murder was ordered by Najib, a claim that Najib has vigorously denied. Despite these controversies, both of the convicted men received the death penalty, although Sirul fled to Australia while Azilah remained in a Malaysian prison.

Recent Changes and Developments

As recently as 2024, Azilah’s death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment following a change in Malaysia’s mandatory death penalty laws. The family of Ms. Shaariibuu filed a civil lawsuit against both her murderers and the Malaysian government back in 2007, eventually winning RM5 million in damages in 2022.

Legal Actions by the Family

Last year, the family filed an application to enforce their earlier ruling, which included seeking interest on the damages as well as legal costs. Meanwhile, Najib, who is currently serving time for unrelated corruption charges associated with the infamous 1MDB scandal, continues to assert his innocence. He claims he has never even met Ms. Shaariibuu, despite ongoing investigations related to the submarine deal that link him to various allegations of misconduct.

What Lies Ahead?

As this complicated legal saga continues to unfold, many are left wondering what will happen next. Will the government’s appeal be successful? How will the family navigate the emotional and financial toll stemming from this tragic case? Only time will tell, but the outcome is sure to keep many captivated as this story develops further.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• The Straits Times: Malaysia Must Pay Damages for Mongolian Woman Altantuya’s Death If Appeal Fails
• South China Morning Post: Malaysia Court Commutes Death Sentence for Najib’s Bodyguard in Mongolian Model’s Murder
• China Daily: Latest Developments in Mongolian Woman’s Murder Case
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Altantuya Shaariibuu
• South China Morning Post: Malaysia’s Death Penalty Changes Clear Way for Murderers’ Extradition