Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Altantuya Shaariibuu: Your Guide to the Facts

1. The Victim

Name:

The victim: Passport photo
Altantuya Shaariibuu. Has also been referred to as @ Aminah Abdullah @ Anna Ana Ang.

NST used the name Anna Ana Ang @ Aminah on 7 Nov, then Attantuya Shariibu @ Aminah on 8 Nov, then Attantuya Shaariibuu @ Aminah Abdullah on 9 Nov.

On 9 Nov NST reported that “Syed Abdul Rahman said Attantuya’s sister, Altantuya Shaariibuu, came to his office on Oct 28 to discuss her (Attantuya’s) disappearance before lodging a police report.” But then on 10 Nov NST used the name Altantuya Shaariibuu until today.

The Star, citing Bernama, used the name Anna Ana Ang on 7 Nov, Altantuya Shaariibuu @ Anna on 8 & 9 Nov, and then just Altantuya Shaariibuu from 10 Nov until now.

Harian Metro 7 Nov used the name Anna, then on 8 Nov used the names Anna Ana Ang @ Al Tantuya @ Aminah, then from 9 Nov until 12 Nov used the names Altantuya Shaariibu @ Aminah @ Anna Ana but on Nov 13 started using only the name Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Harian Metro 10 Nov, reported the Honorary Consul as saying “Wanita berkenaan juga tidak menggunakan atau mempunyai nama ‘Aminah’ seperti dilaporkan sebelum ini.”


Altantuya: Picture from Mongolian newspaper

Religion:

Buddhist.

Reports that she was also called “Aminah” led to many believing her to be a Muslim.

The Star 9 Nov reported that the Honorary Consul for Mongolia in Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi had said that “Altantuya's family claimed to have in their possession a valid marriage certificate, he said, adding that she might have converted to Islam in Mongolia. ”

But Harian Metro 10 Nov, reported the Honorary Consul as saying “Pasangan itu tidak pernah berkahwin atau wanita berkenaan sudah memeluk Islam. Ia tidak tepat dan boleh menimbulkan kekeliruan.”

The subject of her religion was not raised again until 17 Nov when the family gave her a Buddhist funeral at the crime scene at Puncak Alam Shah Alam.

Age: 28

Occupation:

She was reported to be a model as early as 8 Nov by all Malaysian newspapers. That she might not be a model is reported in The Star Nov 10 which carried out a telephone interview with Mongolian Messenger editor-in-chief Indra Borhondoi. Mr Borhondoi said that local modelling agencies in Mongolia had never heard of her.

In Star 12 Nov, her cousin Amy is reported to have said that “Altantuya is a university graduate, teacher and also a translator. She owns a travel agency. … and is a part-time model … She always travels overseas for business.”

S. Ouynaa, a close friend who went to school with her for an English course, said Altantuya was involved in the textile and clothing business and imported the items from China, after returning from Paris. (in the Star, Nov 15)

In Star Nov 16, Altantuya’s mother said that she never modelled. “People think she was a model because she was pretty”, she said

Descriptions of the Victim:

On 8 Nov, Harian Metro said, “Gambaran awal menunjukkan mangsa mempunyai fizikal tubuh badan yang tinggi, jelita, rambut lurus paras bahu selain kerap tampil berpakaian seksi.”

Star 8 Nov: “said to be a stunning beauty from Ulaanbaatar”

Star 12 Nov: “She is a very loving person, beautiful inside and out. She received formal education. She lived in Russia until she was 12 years old. She is really an attractive person.” said the cousin who wished to be known only as Amy.

More from Amy, Star 12 Nov: “She speaks among other languages English, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin). She has her own house and car.”

The Star, 15 Nov: Altantuya had a mole on the right side of her upper lip and it was removed about five years ago. “She had the birth mark removed to make her look more attractive,” said S. Ouynaa, a close friend who went to school with her for an English course. (This mole removal thing confirmed by Altantuya’s mother, reported in the Star 16 Nov.)

The Star 15 Nov: Altantuya was also very fashion conscious and would always dress to kill even for a normal occasion – more from S. Ouynaa,

The Star 15 Nov: “She was a smart woman and she knew how to survive even in the toughest environment” – Maadai, Altantuya’s ex-husband,

Family Details:

Father: Shaariibuu Setev, director of centre of information and education, National University of Mongolia. (Star 12 Nov). Before 12 Nov, some papers reported differently. NST 9 Nov said “Her father is a contractor in the Sukhbaatar district, near the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator.”

Mother: Sh Altantsetseg

Sister, Altantzul, 27

Q: Is Altantuya married or single?

The Mother claimed she was married once, to Maadai, a popular Mongolian singer from the Khar Sarnai (Black Rose) band which is famous for its American-style pop music (The Star Nov 16)

A family friend, interviewed by the Star, said Altantuya married Maadai in 1996 when she was 18. Maadai was then 22. They divorced after 2 years. She then married S. Khunikhuu, the son of a famous designer. They divorced two years later without having any children. (The Star Nov 15)

Q: Does she have kids?

From the start, all major Malaysian newspapers except for the Star claimed that Altantuya and Razak Baginda has a 16-month-old love child.

As early as 7 Nov, Harian Metro said this, “Menurut sumber … Anna, berusia 30-an, menjalin hubungan cinta sebelum mengadakan hubungan seks dengan lelaki Malaysia terbabit ketika dia melawat Mongolia, tahun lalu. Hubungan itu menyebabkan Anna melahirkan seorang bayi di negara asalnya, tahun ini.”

Then, on 9 Nov, Harian Metro said this, “Menurut sumber … Pada masa sama, bapa Altantuya dijangka tiba ke negara ini dalam tempoh terdekat membawa bersama cucunya berumur 16 bulan yang dikatakan hasil hubungan sulit wanita itu dengan seorang penganalisis politik tanah air.”,

and this

“Mangsa datang ke Malaysia pada 6 Oktober lalu bersama seorang sepupunya untuk mencari penganalisis politik berkenaan yang didakwa suaminya dan bapa kepada bayi mereka berusia 16 bulan.”

and this

“Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, hasil hubungan intim pasangan itu, mereka dikurniakan seorang anak lelaki berusia setahun empat bulan. Bagaimanapun, kanak-kanak ini menderita penyakit ‘Hidrocephalus’ iaitu lebihan cecair di kepala yang memerlukan pembedahan segera dan kini ditempatkan di sebuah hospital di Ulan Bator, Mongolia.”

NST also carried the same allegation. On 7 Nov, NST said “The case, which has led to the detention of three members of the police force, has been linked to the affair between the analyst and the victim which had started from a sexual encounter during the former's visit to Mongolia last year, and which had also resulted in the birth of a baby.”

Treating this as a fact, NST said on 9 Nov that “The father of Attantuya Shaariibuu, victim of a gruesome murder, is expected to arrive here on Monday accompanied by his 16-month-old grandson.”

Utusan Malaysia also came out with the same allegation on 8 Nov, also citing “sumber”.

However, on 10 Nov, Harian Metro and NST changed the story. They suddenly came out with the news that the 16-month-old baby was not Altantuya’s kid with Razak Baginda.

Harian Metro said,

“Bagaimanapun sumber memberitahu, anak wanita berkenaan yang berusia 16 bulan bukan hasil hubungan penganalisis politik terbabit. … Difahamkan, penganalisis politik terbabit yang mendapat tahu anak berkenaan bukan hasil hubungannya menjauhkan diri daripada wanita berkenaan.”

and

“Kesamaran status anak lelaki warga Mongolia yang dibunuh, Altantuya Shaariibuu, sama ada ia hasil hubungan sulit dengan seorang penganalisis politik tempatan terjawab apabila disahkan bukan hasil hubungan pasangan itu.

Status berkenaan dinyatakan Konsul Kehormat Kedutaan Mongolia di Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, yang mengatakan laporan sebenar perkara itu sebelum ini disalah lapor oleh media.

Kanak-kanak berusia 16 bulan itu lahir sebelum Altantuya serta penganalisis politik tempatan itu menjalinkan hubungan.”

NST also reported the same denial, and from that day onwards, stopped any mention about the 16-month-old baby.

The family itself denied the existence of the 16-month old baby.

The Star 16 Nov : The Mother claimed the victim had a 10-year old kid with Maadai named Atanshagai. Altantuya also had a 3-year-old kid with a different father who is also Mongolian, but the victim never married him. (). The Mother denied the existence of any 16-month-old kid, as alleged in Malaysian newspapers.

NST 16 Nov: “The father admitted that Altantuya has two sons, ages nine and three, but said his daughter was only married once. Her husband was a rock star in Mongolia.”

The Star 12 Nov : The cousin, Amy, neither denied nor confirmed the existence of the alleged 16-month-old kid, although she admitted Altantuya has a sick son named Altanchagai.


Amy


The Star 15 Nov : The family friend claimed that both children are living with her parents in a three-bedroom apartment in a 12-storey block at 34th Street in Ulanbataar, an upmarket residential area behind the popular shopping zone in the city.

The Star 16 Nov : But the Mother said the children lived with Altantuya.

Other Background Details:

NST 9 Nov: “She has completed secondary school education”.

Star 15 Nov: Altantuya attended High School 84 at the Bayazurkh district.

Star 15 Nov: She enrolled in Otgontenger University, a private education centre specialising in business and language studies in November 1996 but left school in January 1997, but, “She was absent most of the time. She skipped classes and examinations. She never completed the course because she was pregnant.”, said D. Orlomkhorol, university director.

Star 15 Nov: She went to Paris in 2000 and enrolled in a modelling school there after her divorce. “She was there briefly and got a certificate for modelling”, said Opoccoo Puntzag, Altantuya’s biology teacher in High School 84

2. The Accused Persons

Policeman 1 – Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30, from the elite Special Action Force (UTK) in Federal headquarters in Bukit Aman. Member of escort guard branch, tasked with the protection of VIPs (Star 8 Nov). Charged under s 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

NST 16 Nov said that “Azilah, believed to be from Sarawak, was an investigating officer with the Sepang district police headquarters for at least five years before he joined the Special Action Squad in 2002.

NST 16 Nov also said that Azilah is “a bachelor, he is said to be in a relationship with a lance corporal attached to the Petaling Jaya anti-vice unit.” (the Policewoman suspect)

Policeman 2 – corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 member of the Special Action Force (UTK), member of escort guard branch, tasked with the protection of VIPs (Star Nov 8). Charged under s 302 of the Penal Code for murder. He is said to be married with a child. (NST 16 Nov)


Sirul Azhar Umar (left) & Azilah Hadri

*Reports differ as to the rank of Policeman 2. The above facts is from The Star, but Harian Metro, NST and Bernama say that he is a police constable, not a corporal.

Abdul Razak Baginda – Top Malaysian strategic and defence analyst. [Click here]


Razak Baginda

3. Also Remanded:

Policewoman - detective lance corporal from the anti-vice and gaming branch (D7) in Petaling Jaya. She was remanded with the two Policemen accused with murder, but was released on police bail. She was said to have a relationship with Policeman 1, Azilah Hadri (NST 16 Nov)

46-year-old private investigator
35-year-old ex-cop (Harian Metro & Guang Ming Daily said he is also a private investigator)

These two PIs were first remanded for investigation folowing the victim’s police report she made on 19 October, where she said she was being threatened to be put in jail. (Utusan Malaysia 10 Nov). They were released but were rearrested on 15 Nov to assist police in their ongoing investigations into Altantuya’s murder.

On Nov 22, the two PIs were released on a RM50,000 court bond each as provided for under Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Star 23 Nov said they would be testifying as prosecution witnesses during the trial of the two policemen. The same Star report also said that the female lance corporal is also likely to be one of the main prosecution witnesses in the case.

Note that both Altantuya and Razak Baginda had engaged PIs. So if these two were the only PIs detained to assist investigation, then 1 must be the PI engaged by Altantuya and the other the PI engaged by Razak Baginda.

4. Other Characters Involved:

1. Amy, the victim’s cousin
2. Namiraa Gerelmaa, a friend of the victim (NST 18 Nov claimed that Amy and Namiraa Gerelmaa is the same person)
3. Honorary Consul for Mongolia in Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi
4. Mazlinda Makhzan, Razak Baginda’s wife who is a former Magistrate
5. The lawyers - Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah & M. Puravalen (representing Abdul Razak Baginda), Shaun Tan Kee Shaan for Policeman 1 and Policeman 2


Father and cousins: Shaariibuu, Amy & Ochir

5. Relationship Between Persons Involved:

Razak Baginda & Policeman 1 & 2:

Of course, now we know from the charge against Razak Baginda what his relationship with Policeman 1 & 2 is.

Razak was charged of having abetted C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar to commit the murder of Altantuya between 9.54am and 11.05am on Oct 18 at Level 10, Bangunan Getah Asli, 148, Jalan Ampang.

So, investigations must have showed that the 3 met the day before Altantuya died at Razak Baginda's office. But Razak was not charged as the one asking the police to commit the murder, only for helping them. How he help them will be proved during trial.

Before the charge, only twice did the papers mentioned anything about Razak's relations with the 2 policemen.

On Nov 8 Harian Metro, citing a “sumber polis”, put it like this: “Berikutan gangguan melampau, kenamaan berkenaan meminta bantuan anggota polis di Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) Bukit Aman yang dikenali untuk ‘menyelesaikan’ masalah itu”. However Harian Metro did not specifically say that this “anggota polis” is the same anggota polis that was arrested or not.

NST 10 Nov: “It is learnt that the analyst sought help from police friends after alleging that no action was being taken on his two earlier reports. A private investigator, whom he had also hired to keep the woman away from him and his family, had also allegedly failed.”

Razak Baginda & the Private Investigator(s):

“The PIs were believed to have been hired by Razak. Altantuya had lodged a police report against them on Oct 19, claiming that they had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report made at Balai Polis Tun H.S. Lee, they were alleged to have made the threats to her at 5am on Oct 19 at Hotel Malaya where she was staying with her sister and cousin.” (Star Nov 10)

But note that both Altantuya and Razak Baginda had engaged PIs. So if these two were the only PIs detained to assist investigation, then 1 must be the PI engaged by Altantuya and the other the PI engaged by Razak Baginda.

Razak Baginda & the Victim:

There are numerous conflicting reports on this matter.

All the newspapers reported that they had an affair. Read for yourself some excerpts:-

NST 7 Nov: “The case, which has led to the detention of three members of the police force, has been linked to the affair between the analyst and the victim which had started from a sexual encounter during the former's visit to Mongolia last year, and which had also resulted in the birth of a baby.”

NST 9 Nov: “Attantuya Shaariibuu’s family alleges that she and the analyst enjoyed more than just a platonic relationship. They allege that he paid for her trip to South Africa in December last year and spent holidays in Europe and South Africa. … They claim that they knew of her relationship with the analyst and had met him. The analyst does not deny knowing Attantuya but alleges that it is impossible that the child is his.”

NST 9 Nov: “Syed Abdul Rahman also said that Attantuya had been to Malaysia several times since March 2004 and that her close relationship with the political analyst was "no secret" and was known by the woman’s family members.

He said the political analyst would meet up with Attantuya in Shanghai and they would return to Malaysia together.”

"During each meeting, he will give Attantuya gifts in the form of jewellery, including diamonds. He had also deposited US$30,000 (RM108,000) into Attantuya’s account," said Syed Abdul Rahman.

Her family also kept receipts for the purchase of the jewellery and also photographs of them together. The couple had also visited South Africa and several European countries.

He said the political analyst had also promised to buy Attantuya a house in Malaysia.”

Harian Metro 9 Nov: “Hubungan itu bukan saja tidak ubah seperti pasangan suami isteri, malah penganalisis terbabit pernah beberapa kali menemui ibu bapa mangsa ketika dia berada di kampungnya di Sukhbaatar, Mongolia.

Dia juga membiayai sepenuhnya tiket penerbangan atas nama Altantuya atau mesra dengan panggilan Anna Ana Ang yang dibeli dari sebuah agensi pelancongan di Jalan Raja Chulan di sini.

Selain itu, penganalisis itu yang juga seorang kenamaan (VIP) di negara ini, pernah memasukkan wang AS$30,000 (RM114,000) ke dalam akaun wanita berkenaan melalui sebuah bank di Mongolia.

Difahamkan, mengikut adat Mongolia, sekiranya lelaki dan wanita bersama dan mendapat anak hasil hubungan mereka, pasangan terbabit dianggap sudah menjadi suami isteri.”

Harian Metro 9 Nov: “Kebiasaannya, apabila Altantuya ingin ke negara ini, kata Syed Abdul Rahman, penganalisis itu akan bertemu dengannya di Shanghai sebelum membawanya masuk ke negara ini.

“Mereka akan menginap di hotel terkemuka di ibu negara setiap kali Altantuya berada di sini,” katanya.

Beliau mendakwa, penganalisis itu juga pernah berjanji untuk membelikan Altantuya sebuah rumah di negara ini sebagai tanda kasih mereka.

Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, hasil hubungan intim pasangan itu, mereka dikurniakan seorang anak lelaki berusia setahun empat bulan.”

Harian Metro 10 Nov: “Harian Metro difahamkan, mangsa dipercayai kali pertama memasuki Malaysia pada 2002 dan ketika itu hubungan pasangan berkenaan dikatakan baru berputik selepas penganalisis berkenaan pulang dari Mongolia.

Difahamkan, selain itu Altantuya … turut menyimpan gambar penganalisis terbabit ketika zaman mudanya.”

Utusan Malaysia 9 Nov: “Konsul Kehormat itu berkata, salah seorang sepupu mangsa yang menemuinya baru-baru ini mendakwa dia pernah menemui lelaki itu sebanyak dua kali iaitu di Starbucks di Shanghai dan Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf di Hong Kong.

Menurut Syed Abdul Rahman, semua maklumat yang diperoleh serta bukti yang dikemukakan oleh dua orang sepupu mangsa kepadanya, termasuk gambar lelaki tersebut, menunjukkan mereka memang mempunyai hubungan.”

Utusan 11 Nov: “Altantuya Shaariibuu dipercayai pernah datang ke Malaysia sebanyak lima kali dalam tempoh dua tahun ini.

Dalam lawatan pertamanya ke Malaysia pada 2 Mac tahun lalu, wanita yang berasal dari Ulan Bator, Mongolia itu pernah tinggal lebih seminggu di negara ini.

Bagaimanapun, dalam lawatan keempatnya pada 11 Ogos lalu, Altantuya hanya berada di negara ini tidak sampai 24 jam.

Difahamkan, Altantuya yang tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) pada kira-kira pukul 12 tengah hari hari berkenaan telah meninggalkan KLIA pada kira-kira pukul 7.30 pagi keesokan harinya.

Menurut sumber, lawatan kedua mangsa ke Malaysia juga pada bulan Mac tahun lalu manakala lawatannya dua bulan selepas itu merupakan yang terakhir ke negara ini bagi tahun 2005.

Pada tahun ini, Altantuya telah direkod masuk ke Malaysia sebanyak dua kali iaitu pada 11 Ogos dan pada 8 Oktober lalu sebelum dilaporkan hilang pada 20 Oktober,’’ kata sumber itu ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.”

Some papers went further claiming that the couple was actually married.

The Star 9 Nov: “The father of murdered model Altantuya Shaariibuu will come with documents to prove that she was married to the prominent political analyst, Mongolian honorary consul Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi said.

Syed Abdul Rahman, who is based here, said Altantuya's father would also be bringing his grandson for DNA tests to ascertain the identity of the father.

Altantuya's family claimed to have in their possession a valid marriage certificate, he said, adding that she might have converted to Islam in Mongolia.”

But this was later denied by Syed Abdul Rahman,

Harian Metro 10 Nov: “Selain itu, beliau meluahkan rasa kecewa kerana ada beberapa fakta lain yang tersalah lapor seperti status agama wanita itu serta kononnya pasangan berkenaan sudah berkahwin.

“Pasangan itu tidak pernah berkahwin ... Mengenai sijil perkahwinan, beliau turut menafikan ia ada dalam simpanan keluarga wanita itu kerana mereka tidak pernah melangsungkan perkahwinan.”

6. Sequence of Events:

It is impossible to gather from the newspapers what really happened. Newspapers reported different versions, and key facts were changed daily by these newspapers, almost always without citing sources. Below is the sequence of events:-

Oct 8: Arrived in Malaysia (Utusan 11 Nov). We based this on Utusan Malaysia, since they appear to have an Immigration source.

Q: Who did she arrive with?

Newspapers’ version differed. Some papers said she came with her sister and cousin (NST 7 Nov, NST 10 Nov, NST 15 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Harian Metro 12 Nov). Star 10 Nov reported this: “According to the Mongolian model’s report, they were alleged to have made the threats to her at 5am that day at Hotel Malaya where she was staying with her sister and cousin.”

But NST Nov 18 said “Amy and Ochir had accompanied Altantuya from Mongolia early last month.” NST Nov 18 claimed that Amy is Nirmalaa Gerelmaa, and that Amy and Ochir were the victim’s cousins.

Others said she came with her best friend, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22 (Utusan 8 Nov). (Note that Namiraa Gerelmaa is recorded as the complainant in the subsequent court case, so she must be the one who made the eventual police report of Altantuya’s disappearance).

The Honorary Consul for Mongolia, though, told a different story, as reported in Harian Metro 8 Nov:

“Kehadiran Altantuya bersama seorang sepupunya, Galochir Uuriintuya, 29, ke negara ini pada 6 Oktober lalu untuk mengadu nasib dengan penganalisis terbabit yang dianggap ‘suaminya’ di samping ingin meminta wang bagi membiayai kos pembedahan yang bernilai AS$5,000 hingga AS$10,000 (RM19,000 hingga RM38,000).

Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, apabila Altantuya tidak pulang ke hotel, Galochir cuba membuat laporan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Brickfields tetapi gagal kerana dia tidak boleh berbahasa Inggeris dan terpaksa menghubungi sepupu mangsa, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22, di Hong Kong bagi mendapatkan bantuan.

… Mereka berdua membuat laporan di balai polis sama keesokannya pada jam 11.48 malam dengan menyatakan Altantuya hilang dan khuatir akan keselamatannya. Galochir turut membuat laporan pada 28 Oktober lalu di balai polis sama memberitahu pasport antarabangsanya disimpan Altantuya kerana kehadirannya ke Malaysia dibiayai rakannya.”

Q: Why did she come to Malaysia?

The papers really went to town with this one.

Check this out from NST 7 Nov:

“Investigations are expected to cover various scopes, including the possibility that the strategist, well known on the international lecture circuit, fell victim to a US$500,000 (RM1.9 million) blackmail pulled off by the woman … investigators are now looking at the possibility that this "missing person" incident has brought them up against a sex-cum-blackmail scam whose players have international links.”

And this the day after:

“ (she) allegedly demanded US$500,000 (RM1.85 million) as payment after he signalled the end of their affair. She claimed that she had given birth to his child and threatened to go public if her demand was not met.” (NST 8 Nov)

NST 9 Nov: “Attantuya’s family says that she came to Malaysia to obtain money to treat her toddler son. But the political analyst alleges that a woman was extorting US$500,000 (RM1.82 million) from him and had harassed him with SMSes.”

However, the Star and Utusan never reported this 500,000USD extortion story.

Star 8 Nov: “It is learnt that Altantuya, mother of a 16-month-old baby boy, came to Malaysia to seek help and financial support from the analyst for the baby, who is in need of medical treatment.”

And according to Utusan 8 Nov, “Difahamkan, Altantuya yang ditemani rakan karibnya, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22, datang ke Kuala Lumpur pada 6 Oktober lalu untuk menemui ‘suaminya’ yang sudah berkahwin dan mempunyai anak.”

As stated earlier, the Honorary Consul for Mongolia’s version was reported in Harian Metro 8 Nov:

“Kehadiran Altantuya … ke negara ini … untuk mengadu nasib dengan penganalisis terbabit yang dianggap ‘suaminya’ di samping ingin meminta wang bagi membiayai kos pembedahan yang bernilai AS$5,000 hingga AS$10,000 (RM19,000 hingga RM38,000).”

So, from the reports, it cannot be satisfactorily concluded why and with whom she came to Malaysia, although we can safely say that she came with her lady companion or companions with the objective of meeting Razak Baginda.

Oct 9: Altantuya and her lady companion or companions check into Hotel Malaya, Jalan Hang Lekir. (all reports)

Oct 10: She/they meet with private investigator to help her meet Razak Baginda. (NST 7 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Utusan 17 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

Oct 10-Oct 15: - She/they made numerous phone calls to the private investigator from their hotel rooms. (NST 7 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

- Private investigator met Razak Baginda at the latter’s office.

Oct 15: Razak Baginda filed two police reports against Altantuya and the private investigator (NST Nov 9). He alleged that he was being intimidated by certain individuals. (all newspapers)

Q: What did Razak say in the police reports?

We don’t know but the following news excerpts are interesting:-

NST 9 Nov: “His team of lawyers are arguing that he had no role in the murder …, had co-operated fully with investigators since his arrest and had lodged two police reports last month on being blackmailed by the woman. As such, he should not be held in remand for five days, as ordered by a magistrate’s court yesterday.”

NST 10 Nov: “Shafee is saying that the analyst has no role in the murder. He pointed out that his client had lodged two police reports last month, claiming that he was being blackmailed and harassed by the woman.”
Utusan 9 Nov: “Dalam laporan yang dibuat di Ibu Pejabat Polis (IPD) Brickfields di sini pada pertengahan Oktober lalu, pengarah eksekutif agensi pemikir itu mendakwa beliau telah diperas ugut oleh model itu sejak lebih setahun lalu.”

Before Oct 19: - Altantuya turns up at the building where the analyst’s office is housed but is turned away by a security guard. Allegedly told the guard to pass a message to the analyst, claiming that she had given birth to his child. (NST 8 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Metro 9 Nov)

- Razak Baginda hired private investigator(s) following contact(s) made by Altantuya/her private investigator (NST 10 Nov, Star 10 Nov)

Oct 19: - Altantuya lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee Police Station at about 1 p.m., claiming that certain parties had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report, the threats were made to her at 5 a.m. that day at Hotel Malaya. It is believed that those making the threats are the two PIs currently being remanded, or at least one of them. (Star Nov 10, Nov 17, Utusan 10 Nov)

The other events happening on October 19 had many different versions:-

NST 8 Nov:
“(Altantuya) and her sister turn up at the prominent personality’s home in Bukit Damansara in a taxi. A security consultant hired by the analyst allegedly stops her from entering the house, and warns her to leave. She persists. The security consultant threatens to call the police. She leaves in a taxi and returns to the hotel.

Several hours later, she leaves the hotel. That was the last time she was seen alive.”

The Sun 9 Nov:
“Altantuya and her cousin turn up at the analyst’s home in Damansara Height in a taxi. A security consultant hired by the analyst prevents them from entering the house and warns her to leave. She leaves and return to her hotel. Several hours later she leaves her hotel room.”

The Star 8 Nov:
“Altantuya managed to find out where the analyst lived but failed in her attempt to meet him until Oct 19 when she was said to have received a telephone call to meet him at his house.

She was said to have contacted her sister and cousin over the handphone, informing them that she had reached the analyst’s house.

While she was outside the house, she was seized by several men, pushed into a car and driven away.

Her sister and cousin, who last heard from her that night, became worried and sought the help of the Mongolian Embassy in Bangkok after they were told that there was no embassy or consul here.”

Utusan 10 Nov:
“Selepas 13 hari menanti, akhirnya pada 19 Oktober lalu, mangsa dijemput oleh seorang lelaki di hotel penginapannya di Jalan Hang Lekir di sini untuk bertemu ‘suaminya’.

Mangsa dilaporkan tidak kembali ke hotel keesokan harinya dan Namiraa yang gagal mengesan Altantuya telah bertindak melaporkan kehilangan wanita itu kepada Konsulat Mongolia di Thailand. “

Metro 9 Nov:
“Altantuya ditemani seorang saudaranya ke kediaman penganalisis politik itu di Bukit Damansara tetapi sekali lagi dihalang menemui lelaki itu.

Dia enggan berganjak bertemu lelaki itu tetapi selepas pegawai keselamatan mengatakan akan memanggil polis, mereka pulang semula ke hotel penginapan.

Bagaimanapun, beberapa jam kemudian, Atlantuya meninggalkan hotel penginapannya dipercayai ke kediaman penganalisis politik itu. Itulah kali terakhir, model sambilan itu dilihat.”

The same Harian Metro edition then proceeded to give a different story in a different article!

Metro 9 Nov:
“Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, kira-kira jam 7 malam pada 19 Oktober lalu, Altantuya menerima panggilan daripada seorang lelaki India bernama Bala yang memperkenalkan diri sebagai pengawal peribadi penganalisis terbabit.

Lelaki berkenaan memaklumkan VIP itu ingin menemui mangsa bagi membincang masalah mereka.

Mangsa yang kegembiraan terus mendapatkan teksi dan ke rumah ‘suaminya’ di Jalan Setia Jaya. Bagaimanapun, menurut pemandu teksi yang membawanya, mangsa ditarik seorang lelaki sebaik keluar dari kenderaan itu dan dibawa masuk ke sebuah Proton Wira merah.

Kereta itu bergerak ke kawasan tidak diketahui dengan diikuti sebuah jip Suzuki. Pemandu teksi yang masih belum menerima bayaran itu kemudian mendapatkan Bala lalu diberikan RM50. Dia kemudian diarah datang semula keesokannya bagi mendapatkan baki bayaran berikutan mangsa menggunakan teksinya selama sehari bagi mencari suaminya,” katanya.”

From the reports, there is no way we can say what happened on that fateful October 19. But what was constant in all the reports was that Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

What we do know is that the charges against the two policemen was for having jointly murdered the 28-year-old freelance model between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam.

So for Oct 19, the following events are added:-

Oct 19: - Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

- Between 10pm that night and 1am the next morning (Oct 20) at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam, in the darkness of the jungle and the night, she was jointly killed by Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 from the elite Special Action Force.


The rest of the events were well recorded and not disputed. So, after taking out all the deductions and discussions, we arrive at the following ‘clean’ sequence of events.

Oct 8:
Altantuya arrived in Malaysia

Oct 9:
Altantuya and her lady companion or companions check into Hotel Malaya, Jalan Hang Lekir. (all reports)

Oct 10:
She/they meet with private investigator to help her meet Razak Baginda. (NST 7 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Utusan 17 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

Oct 10-Oct 15:
- She/they made numerous phone calls to the private investigator from their hotel rooms. (NST 7 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

- Private investigator met Razak Baginda at the latter’s office.

Oct 15:
Razak Baginda filed two police reports against Altantuya and the private investigator (NST Nov 9). He alleged that he was being intimidated by certain individuals.

Before Oct 19:
- Altantuya turns up at the building where the analyst’s office is housed but is turned away by a security guard. Allegedly told the guard to pass a message to the analyst, claiming that she had given birth to his child. (NST 8 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Metro 9 Nov)

- Razak Baginda hired private investigator(s) following contact(s) made by Altantuya/her private investigator (NST 10 Nov, Star 10 Nov)

Oct 19:
- Altantuya lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee Police Station at about 1 p.m., claiming that certain parties had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report, the threats were made to her at 5 a.m. that day at Hotel Malaya. It is believed that those making the threats are the two PIs currently being remanded, or at least one of them. (Star Nov 10, Nov 17, Utusan 10 Nov)

- Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

- Between 10pm that night and 1am the next morning (Oct 20) at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam, in the darkness of the jungle and the night, she was jointly killed by Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 from the elite Special Action Force.

Oct 21:
Police report made by Altantuya’s companion(s) at the Hotel about her disappearance. They named Abdul Razak as being involved in the disappearance.

Oct 21-26:
Woman detective lance corporal detained to assist investigation.

26 Oct:
Chief Inspector Azilah detained to assist investigation.

6 Nov:
Corporal Sirul Azhar detained to assist investigation.

7 Nov:
Razak Baginda detained to assist investigation.

15 Nov:
- DNA test result confirmed that the remains found at the crime scene belong to Altantuya

- Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 are charged for having jointly murdered the 28-year-old freelance model between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam under s 302 of the Penal Code read together with s 34 of the same.

- Woman detective lance corporal released on police bail.

16 Nov:
Razak Baginda charged of having abetted C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar to commit the murder of Altantuya between 9.54am and 11.05am on Oct 18 at Level 10, Bangunan Getah Asli, 148, Jalan Ampang, here - the official address of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, under s 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 302 of the same code. If convicted, he will be sentenced to death.

18 Nov:
Altantuya’s father, relatives and monks carried out last rites for Altantuya’s soul at the crime scene at Puncak Alam.

23 Nov:
Razak Baginda pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. He was released on court bond for RM1 million.

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