11 years on, Altantuyaa’s brutal murder still hasn’t found closure

The honour of an entire nation is at stake as long as this matter remains unresolved, writes JD Lovrenciear.

Come 11 October 2017, it will be 11 years since the brutal slaying of a defenceless Mongolian citizen, Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa.

Yet the case still hasn’t found closure. No eternal rest for the soul of the victim.

Do we let bygones be bygones and move on? Do we deny a final resolution to this unprecedented ‘mother of all murders’ and instead look the other way? Does the Malaysian Palace of Justice, housed in a majestic building in the administrative capital, Putrajaya, not see this matter as unfinished business?

Have all those responsible for the brutal killing of a lone woman (alleged to be pregnant with an unborn child) been hauled up before the law?

To date, no one has been told of the motive for the killing; the courts have deemed it not relevant to the ghastly crime.

After 11 years, whether in Mongolia or Malaysia, justice cannot be rendered in a manner which brings closure to this crime.

Wikiepedia tells us Altantuyaa was a “murder victim who was either murdered by C-4 explosives or was somehow killed first and her remains destroyed with C-4”.

History records that an individual, Abdul Razak Baginda, was “originally acquitted”. And at the close of the globally publicised 159-day trial, the two accused, namely Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar were “meted out the death sentence”.

The two ‘killers’ were acquitted in 2013. In 2015, they were found guilty again and re-sentenced with the death penalty. One is said to be still in a Malaysian prison. Another was not so long ago said to be holed up in Australia protected by local laws there. How he left the country after being sentenced to death is still a mystery.

The administration sees no urgency in ensuring that swift justice is rendered to the soul of a lone girl who came into Malaysia. She did not have on her any ammunition. Neither was she a national security threat.

This was a murder case that involved personnel trained by the government – the elite, special forces of police. They do not kill for fun and personal pleasure but under command – in the way the world has unfortunately come to expect of operatives of such specialised police forces in any nation.

When will the leadership of Malaysia realise that the honour of an entire nation is at stake as long as this matter remains unresolved.

Are we as citizens not complicit in this heinous crime for as long as the institutions of this country and all its men and women of valour cannot see to the closure of this murder by ensuring that real justice is done.

Our home minister recently proudly said that Malaysia has the best regional police ranking.

The highest institution of justice is housed in a palatial structure in the heart of the federal government’s administrative centre.

We have a prime minister who clearly showcases how tens of thousands of citizens never fail to gather to demonstrate their love for him with placards that read “We love PM Najib”.

Will those who love our prime minister not want to ask him when and how this reeking, rotting shame hanging over our beloved nation will be resolved?

Eleven long years have gone by.

JD Lovrenciear is a retired professional who actively follows current affairs.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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