'Razak Baginda gave samples of his handwriting to police'

ASP Ahmad Abu Bakar told the Shah Alam High Court today that he had taken samples of the handwriting of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda (above) during the investigation into the death of the Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.

Razak Baginda, who was then detained at Bukit Aman, was asked to jot down several words, which included "Amina", "Hotel Malaya", "Jalan Hang Lekir", and his home address.

These were based on words found on a piece of paper seized by one assistant superintendent known as Zulkarnain, Ahmad told the court.

He is the 10th witness in the RM100 million civil suit filed by Altantuya's family against Razak Baginda, the Malaysian government, as well as two former cops, chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar.

For the record, during Altantuya criminal trial in 2007, chemist Wong Kong Yong confirmed that the note which was found in Azilah's bag, was penned by Razak Baginda.

However, the court today was not informed whether the fax copy of the note which Ahmad obtained from Zulkarnain was the one seized from Azilah.

Ahmad, clad in a police uniform, was answering questions from the plaintiff's lawyer Harshaan Zamani.

Harshaan: What was your role?

Ahmad: I was given the responsibility to take a sample of handwriting from one of the suspects, Abdul Razak Baginda.

Harshaan: When did you take the samples?

Ahmad: On Nov 14, 2006 and Nov 15, 2006.

He then explained to the court that Razak Baginda was asked to write the same words on five pieces of A4 paper.

The copies were then handed over to one ASP Tony, the investigating officer of the murder case, on Nov 17, 2006.

Yesterday, Razak Baginda's secretary Siti Aisyah (above) told the court that he had told her that he did not ask Azilah to kill Amina (Altantuya), but rather asked Azilah to protecthis house and family.

Earlier, the plaintiff made an application to obtain certain documents from the third parties, such as police statements on the witnesses of the Altantuya criminal trial, personal details of the witnesses, and statements which were recorded under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

This was objected by counsel representing the government, Norina Bahadun, and Razak Baginda's counsel Manjeet Singh Dhillon.

Judge Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera set May 16 as the decision date for the application.

Altantuya is believed to have been killed in a deserted area in Shah Alam on Oct 19, 2006, with her remains blown up by military-grade explosives.

Both Sirul and Azilah, bodyguards to the then deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, were convicted of the murder, while Razak Baginda was acquitted.

The hearing continues on May 15. - Mkini