Altantuya's father wants to meet Mahathir

Setev Shaariibuu, the father of murdered Mongolian national Altantuya, is planning to visit Malaysia and to call on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad following reports that Sirul Azhar Umar will be extradited back to the country.

When contacted through his lawyer in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, Setev did not give an exact date but said "I'm prepared to leave" to attend the meeting, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

"I hope that many things can happen," Setev told Malaysiakini.

On the eve of the May 9 election, Setev conveyed a message to Mahathir and Malaysians to remember Altantuya or end up losing, like his daughter.

At a press conference in George Town today, Setev's lawyer Ramkarpal Singh said he was in the midst of planning the meeting.

According to Ramkarpal, Setev would probably be in Malaysia, in one or two weeks.

"There are many doubts and confusions pertaining to the case, and these issues will be raised at the meeting," Ramkarpal, who is the DAP Bukit Gelugor MP, said.

"We also hope to urge the government to form a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the motive behind the killing of Altantuya, which took place in October 2006 in Shah Alam, Selangor," he added.

The RCI, Ramkarpal said, could be formed if Mahathir advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the matter so that further investigations into the murder could be conducted

His remarks come after a report in British newspaper The Guardian quoting Australian authorities as allowing the extradition of Sirul to Malaysia.

Sirul fled to Australia after his conviction and was arrested by the Australian authorities. He is kept at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney.

He was convicted together with Azilah Hadri, who is currently awaiting his death sentence in Malaysia.

Setev is suing the two convicted former bodyguards of Najib Razak and the federal government for compensation amounting to RM100 million over Altantuya's death.

Ramkarpal also said he would discuss with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas on the possibility of reopening investigations into the murder or alternatively, setting up the RCI to establish the motive behind the murder.

"Sirul’s return may unravel the mystery of who wanted Altantuya dead and why.

"Those responsible for her inhumane demise must be brought to justice and I am committed to achieving this end with the help of the new Harapan government," Ramkarpal added. - Mkini