Govt failed to extricate itself from Altantuya suit
KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s failure to raise a novel question under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act which would enable it to appeal caused it to be stuck in Altantuya Shaariibuu family suit.
The ruling made by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong Dak Wah along with Federal Court judges Alizatul Khair Osman and P Nallini also fined the government RM5,000.
Sangeet Kaur Deo represented the family, while senior federal counsel Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman acted on behalf of the government.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the government was reinstated as a defendant in the RM100 million lawsuit filed by the family members of Altantuya.
Other defendents in this case are political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and two police officials.
The family members comprised Altantuya’s father Shaariibuu Setev, his wife Altantsetseg Sanjaa, as well as their grandson, Mungunshagai Bayarjargal.
Altantuya was murdered in Shah Alam on 19 Oct 2006, with her remains blown up using military-grade explosives.
Sirul and Azilah, bodyguards to the then deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, were convicted of the murder, while Razak Baginda walked scot free.
