A-G Explains Why Prosecution Team In Altantuya Murder Trial Was Changed

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said today he had to change the prosecution team in the murder trial of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu in the interest of justice because Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Salehuddin Saidin who was leading the prosecution team had been seen playing badminton with trial judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin.
He told Bernama at his office here that this matter was only brought to his attention last Thursday and given the time constraint of only three days for a new DPP to take over, he said he had no choice but to request for adequate time to prepare the case.
Gani said realising the sensitivity of the case, he decided to withdraw Salehuddin from leading the prosecution team.
"Concern has been raised that such situation may be construed and exploited to certain advantage by different quarters for whatever purposes that may attract negative perception on the integrity of the Attorney-General's Chambers and the court and the fair conduct of the trial," he said in giving reasons for the change which caused the high-profile trial that was supposed to start at the High Court in Shah Alam on Monday to be postponed to June 18.
Salehuddin was replaced by Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah
Gani said during the last two weeks he had also appointed two other senior DPPs, Wong Chiang Kiat and Manoj Kurup, to be in the prosecution team and only Salehuddin was excluded and replaced by Tun Abdul Majid, a very senior and experienced DPP.
Gani said he made the decision to ensure that there would be no untoward allegation or adverse public perception against his officers and department as well as the court.
"I have to consider the fact that the whole administration of justice system should not be questioned by the mere allegation of perceived prejudice and to ensure that the right of the affected parties to a fair trial is upheld," he said.
The Attorney-general said he had the fullest confidence and trust in the integrity and credibility of his officers, the trial judge and the judiciary in discharging their duties objectively and professionally.
"But neither can I afford to allow negative perceptions to prevail. Justice must not only be done but seen to be done," he said.
Tun Abdul Majid, the civil division head in the Attorney-General's Chambers, on Monday made an application to Zaki to postpone the trial for a month, saying the new team was only assigned to handle the case the day earlier.
On trial are Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35, both members of the police Special Action Squad, and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 46.
They are charged with the murder of 28-year-old Altantuya in Mukim Bukit Raja, Selangor, between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 last year.
Altantuya was shot dead and her body was blown up with explosives and her remains were found in a forested area in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, on Nov. 7
Abdul Razak is charged with abetting the policemen in the murder and all three face the death penalty if convicted.

tunku : let the courts decide what is the best, don't make our on conclusion.the AG has explained on why the prosecution team was changed.let us wait for the court case.