Malaysia's Anwar alleges high-level coverup in Mongolian murder

Jul 3, 2008, 6:42 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday claimed there was a conspiracy to cover up 'shocking evidence' showing alleged ties between deputy prime minister Najib Razak and a Mongolian woman who was brutally murdered two years ago.

The case of 28-year old Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu grabbed the headlines after police arrested and charged prominent political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda - who has close ties with Najib - with her gory murder.

Police had discovered traces of Altantuya's body which had been blown to bits using military-grade explosives in October 2006.

Najib, who is also defence minister, has denied rumours and allegations of any links with the victim.

On Thursday, Anwar, who has swung back from what could have been damaging sodomy allegations over the weekend, released a sworn statement from a former police officer who claimed to have been told that Najib was having an affair with Altantuya before her death.

The declaration by Balasubramaniam Perumal, who was working as a private investigator for Abdul Razak around the time of the crime, claims that his client had revealed that Najib had sexual intercourse with Altantuya.

Balasubramaniam claimed that prosecuting officers and police personnel who had taken his statements at the time of the crime had ommited any references to Najib.

Anwar, who was present during the release of Balasubramaniam's statement on Thursday, charged that there was suppression of all evidence relating to Najib.

'This shocking information involves information which is not brought to court,' he said. 'Today's revelations confirm a clear pattern of manipulation of the justice system.'

The prosecution for the trial, which is still ongoing, recently concluded its case.

'The proceedings of the trial are like a pre-arranged script for a pre-arranged outcome,' said Anwar.

On Saturday, a former male assistant lodged a report claiming that Anwar had sodomized him.

Anwar hit back at the accusations as a 'desperate attempt' by his foes to put an end to his rising political status as opposition leader.

The former deputy prime minister claimed that he was framed by Najib's aides along with police chief Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Pattail.

Sodomy is punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment in the predominantly Muslim country.

On Tuesday, Anwar lodged a report accusing Musa and Abdul Gani of fabricating evidence in his 1998 sodomy and corruption convictions.