Deepak says has sought Altantuya’s ‘forgiveness’

Deepak described his role in the case as “the biggest mistake of [his] entire life”. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 ― Carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan has gone to seek “forgiveness” from murdered interpreter Altantuyaa Shaariibuu for his role in putting out a controversial second sworn statement from private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in July 2008.

The businessman, who is suing Selangor Wanita Umno chief Senator Datuk Raja Ropiaah Abdullah over a land deal, also said he is publishing two books on his life and business.

“I went to a Buddhist temple to seek forgiveness from Altantuya,” he told The Malaysian Insider, saying his role in the matter was, “the biggest mistake of my entire life”.

He also disclosed his plans to reveal more details in the books, which will be privately circulated.

“I am writing two books. The first is very short, 26 pages, and coming out on Monday,” the 40-year-old bachelor told The Malaysian Insider.

Deepak said the second book will be “a bit more elaborate” and launched in January.

Balasubramaniam’s second statutory declaration (SD) came a day after his first about Altantuya’s murder in 2006, for which two elite police commandos have been convicted and are facing death sentences.

Deepak hit the headlines when blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin exposed his role in facilitating the private detective’s second SD to repudiate the first statement.

The businessman is now in the news for suing Raja Ropiaah’s Awan Megah (M) Sdn Bhd for criminal breach of trust in the sale of 223.33 acres of land in Bukit Raja. Hearing for the case resumes tomorrow.

Deepak had named Awan Megah together with the Ministry of Defence, government land unit Syarikat Tanah Dan Harta Sdn Bhd and Cebur Megah Development Sdn Bhd in his lawsuit for allegedly cheating him out of millions in a land deal.

But the trial judge had already struck off the government, Ministry of Defence and Cebur Megah from the lawsuit and her judgment has been upheld by the Court of Appeal earlier.

Deepak’s Astacanggih Sdn Bhd had agreed to buy three parcels of land in 2007 for RM13 million and a RM72 million bank guarantee for a land bond from Raja Ropiaah, who was awarded a RM100 million privatisation deal for the development of the defence research centre called Pusat Pengajian Pertahanan Nasional (PUSPAHANAS).

The land was supposed to be placed in a special purpose company called Cebur Megah as government rules do not allow land in privatised projects to be sold by the winning party. The land is still in government hands as the defence project has yet to take off.

The Selangor Wanita Umno chief had allegedly sold one parcel for RM2 million in cash and a RM16 million overdraft facility in a “joint venture” with Guppyunip Sdn Bhd, a company specialising in plasticware, prompting the carpet dealer to put a caveat on the land in Bukit Raja and lodge a police report last July.