The family’s lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, claimed that the government, through the Attorney-General’s Chambers, did not contest Azilah’s affidavit, which alleges that he received orders from “high-ranking government officials” to “eliminate and dispose of” Altantuya.
Sangeet said the administration cannot afford to be seen as complicit and must keep to its promises of upholding the rule of law by investigating the claims.
“If proven true, these claims indicate the exploitation of state institutions for personal agendas by influential individuals, undermining public trust and damaging the nation’s international reputation.
“Any perception of inaction or intentional suppression of the truth will severely damage the credibility of the administration and the nation’s standing in the eyes of its citizens and the international community,” she said in a statement today.
On Oct 10 last year, the Federal Court commuted Azilah’s death penalty to a 40-year jail term. He was also ordered to be given the mandatory minimum 12 strokes of the rotan.
The court came to the decision after considering an additional affidavit and a letter from Altantunya’s family
In 2009, the Shah Alam High Court convicted Azilah and the other UTK officer, Sirul Azhar Umar, of the crime.
The convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2013, but restored by the Federal Court two years later. Both accused were sentenced to death. However, Sirul fled to Australia before the final verdict was announced.
In her statement, Sangeet also claimed that a letter sent to home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail last October, which was forwarded to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the AGC, received no response.
“How much longer must the affected parties wait before real action is taken?” she asked.
“How long will the government remain silent while the nation’s reputation
continues to be tarnished?”
She said the government needs to ensure that the police and other government institutions are protected from exploitation by powerful entities and individuals.
She also repeated the call for the government to clarify its next steps in the extradition of Sirul.