Govt, Razak Baginda and former cops ordered to pay RM5mil to Altantuya's family

SHAH ALAM: The High Court here has ordered the government and three others to pay RM5mil in damages to the family of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in 2006.

Civil court judge Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, who made the ruling Friday (Dec 16) morning, said the victim's family had successfully proved their claim against the government, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, and former policemen Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri.

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The judge's verdict in favour of the family during an online proceeding comes 15 years after the civil action was filed in 2007.

On June 4, 2007, Altantuya's parents, Dr Shaariibuu Setev and Altantsetseg Sanjaa, and their grandsons Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga, filed the suit against Azilah and Sirul Azhar, as well as Abdul Razak and the government.

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However, Altanshagai Munkhtulga’s name was later removed from the plaintiff’s list when he passed away in 2017.

In their statement of claim, the family said Altantuya’s death resulted in them suffering mental shock and psychological trauma and sought compensation as well as exemplary and aggravated damages.

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A total of 26 witnesses for the plaintiffs, including Dr Shaariibuu and Altantuya's eldest son Bayarkhuu, testified at the trial, which began in 2019.

The government presented three witnesses while Abdul Razak chose not to testify.