On Altantuya’s 40th birthday, a moment of silence in court

Altantuya Shaariibuu, the Mongolian woman who was murdered and her body blown up in Malaysia in 2006.

SHAH ALAM: The father of murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu called for a minute’s silence at the High Court here today, to mark what would have been her 40th birthday.

Altantuya’s father, Dr Shaariibuu Setev, asked for a moment’s silence before court proceedings began this morning before Justice Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera. Dr Shaariibuu and family are suing the government for damages over Altantuya’s death.

He told the media later that news reports about Altantuya’s birthday were published in Mongolia today, where his wife and other children held religious ceremonies as a remembrance of his eldest daughter.

Dr Shaariibuu, 69, a part time professor at the Mongolian National University, said he had very high hopes that justice would prevail as this case was not only followed by Malaysians or Mongolians, but globally. He said he had met with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last year, and was promised justice on Altantuya’s death.

Dr Shaariibuu, his wife Altantsetseg Sanjaa and their two grandsons, Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga, filed the RM100 million suit on June 4, 2007. However, Altanshagai Munkhtulga’s name was later removed as a plaintiff as he died two years ago.

In the statement of claim, the family alleged that Altantuya’s death had caused them mental shock and psychological trauma, entitling them to be compensated with exemplary and aggravated damages. - FMT