Prosecutors replaced to ensure fair murder trial

The Attorney General replaced the prosecutors ahead of a closely watched murder trial because he wanted to ensure a fair trial.
The trial of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, was to begin on Monday.
But when court opened, the prosecution immediately asked for a delay, saying they had only been handed the case the day before.
AG Abdul Gani Patail said he installed the new team to ensure a "fair trial" for all parties, according to a report in the New Straits Times.
Abdul Gani declined to elaborate, the report said.
"My interest is to ensure that the public knows exactly what happened and how the police investigated the case," he was quoted saying.
Abdul Gani could not be immediately reached to comment on the report.
The newly-assigned lead prosecutor, Tun Majid Tun Hamzah, told the High Court he did not know why he had suddenly been handed the file of more than 100 investigation reports.
"I was only informed of this yesterday in the evening when I was on my way home," he said, asking for one month to prepare.
"It's beyond me. I simply cannot prosecute this case at such short notice," he said.
Two-week postponement
The judge agreed to a two-week postponement. The trial is now to begin on June 18.
Analysts view the case as a test of Malaysia's judicial and political integrity.
Abdul Razak is charged with abetting the murder of his former lover, Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28.
She was killed last October and her body blown up in a jungle clearing in Shah Alam district, southwest of Kuala Lumpur.
Two police officers are charged with the murder itself. They are members of a police unit that guards the country's top leaders, including the prime minister and his deputy.
All three accused face the death penalty if convicted.
Najib, who is also the defence minister, has vehemently denied any involvement in the case.
- AFP