MALAYSIA: Former high-flyer stands trial
Updated
A Malaysian court has been told that a former advisor to the deputy prime minister ordered two police officers from an elite bodyguard unit to murder his former mistress. The remains of model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, were found in a jungle clearing near Kuala Lumpur last November in a case that has set off a media storm.
Presenter: Bill Bainbridge
Speakers: Chong Cheng Hai, editor, The Sun; Karpal Singh, lawyer
BAINBRIDGE: The story the prosecution is alleging has all the hallmarks of a soap opera. A powerful and politically connected man ends his affair with a beautiful woman who in turn tries to blackmail him. He then enlists police to to murder her in the most gruesome way possible. It's a story that has Malaysia glued to their televisions.
SFX: TV
BAINBRIDGE: Chong Cheng Hai is the editor of Malaysian newspaper, The Sun.
CHONG: All the major papers have it on their front page today, the main story. It's beginning to be a circus actually. Our own OJ Simpson.
BAINBRIDGE: Abdul Razak Baginda is the 47 year old head of a well respected Malaysian think tank. Oxford educated, married to a high profile lawyer and a close confidante of the deputy prime minister, the Malaysian press has described him as 'the man who had everything'. He has admitted to an affair with Altantuya Shaariibuu, a 28 year old part time model from Mongolia but denies ordering her murder. Chong Cheng Hai says that denial is in contrast to the allegations made in court.
CHONG: The private eye gave his evidence and said that Altantuya threatened Abdul Razak Bagindaoutside the gate, shouted at him outside the gate and they brought her to the police station but no report was lodged, but she told him 'tell your boss I want $500,00o and three airplane tickets"
BAINBRIDGE: And that was not the only sensational revelation. High profile Malaysian lawyer Karpal Singh has a watching brief to attend the case on behalf of the victim's father and the Mongolian embassy.
SINGH: The murder is said to have been commited she is said to have beeen blown up alive
BAINBRIDGE: She was still alive when she was blown up?
SINGH: Looks like it. Because earlier the police statements were that she was shot twice in the head and then her body blown up. But the opening address by the DPP was that she was blown up.
BAINBRIDGE: He says the prosecution has listed 134 witnesses and claims to have forensic evidence as well as incriminating closed circuit television and telephone conversations will prove the plan between the three accused to kill her on the night of October 19. The prosecution told the court the pair met in 2004 and had a relationship, during which he gave her money. After their relationship ended in 2005, he continued to give her money but when he stopped she became threatening and prosecutors claim he abetted two policemen in planning to have her killed. Karpal Singh says their case is strong.
SINGH: I should think so, I should think so because the third person who was involved was woman constable the girlfriend of the second accused and she's turning crown witness.
BAINBRIDGE: Malaysia's rumour mill has suggested that the killing may be connected to Abdul Razak's role in negotiating huge defence equipment contracts. Negotiations at which he appointed his young lover to act as a translator. The government however has denied their is any political link to the killing.
SINGH: Oh that's what they're saying but let's see how it develops.
BAINBRIDGE: So you think there could be a political element?
SINGH: Well there could be, there could be, that can't be ruled out
BAINBRIDGE: One thing that is sure is that with the trial set to last for weeks or maybe months the soap opera won't end any time soon.
