Altantuya's youngest son still thinks mum is alive

Altanshagai Munkhtulga was just four-years-old when his mother, Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, was murdered outside of Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

Now 12 years later, Altanshagai, who is disabled and unable to walk after an illness in his infancy, is still in the dark over his mother's death.

His grandfather, Setev Shaariibuu, has spent the last 12 years telling him that she is still alive.

"For the last 12 years, I have been buying candies for him, saying its from her," Setev said through a translator during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Altanshagai's older brother Mungunshagai Bayarjargal, 21, however, does know about the brutal murder.

Setev described Mungunshagai as a sombre individual at home.

"He is very silent at home. He doesn't talk much. He'll leave home early and come back late," Setev said.

The elder of Altantuya's two sons, however, has taken an interest in film-making, and Setev said that he makes movies and writes scripts to help support the family.

Altantuya, 28, was shot dead and her body blown up with military-grade plastic explosives outside Kuala Lumpur in October 2006.

Setev (below) said she should instead be at home living a happy life with her children.

"Their destiny should be like that. Unfortunately, my daughter had become the victim of politicians," he said sadly.

Death sentences

Setev said his daughter's death was akin to losing his "right-hand man" as she was the main breadwinner for the family.

Altantuya's murder has been linked to former premier Najib Abdul Razak with rumours saying that she was his lover.

Najib has consistently denied knowing Altantuya. The former prime minister's close confidant Razak Baginda, however, said he did have an affair with the Mongolian

Former police commandos Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar were convicted of her murder in 2009 and sentenced to hang even though it wasn't established what their motive was or if they had a motive.

They were later released when an appeals court in 2013 overturned the conviction ruling the High Court judge had erred.

The Federal Court, however, upheld their death sentences in 2015. Sirul fled Australia ahead of that ruling while Azhar is currently on death row.

The Shaariibuu family is suing Azilah, Sirul, Razak, and the government for RM100 million in damages over Altantuya's death. - Mkini