PI Points Finger At No. 2 Leader In New Twist To Mongolian's Murder - AP

KUALA LUMPUR: A private detective claimed Thursday (3 July) that police officers who investigated the 2006 killing of a Mongolian woman deliberately suppressed statements that might have indicated the Malaysian deputy prime minister's involvement in the case.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak did not respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment. Najib's aides said he was likely to comment later Thursday. But responding to rumors in the past, Najib has denied any hand.

The latest claim by private detective Balasubramaniam Perumal, made in a sworn declaration, adds an unexpected twist to the case of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator and interpreter who was killed 19 Oct 2006.

Her body was blown up with explosives and only remains were found in a jungle clearing.

A close friend of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, is on trial for abetting her murder. Two policemen are on trial with him for murder, which shook Malaysia's political establishment because of the personalities involved and the gruesome nature of the killing. The trial is in a recess.

Abdul Razak, a prominent political analyst, says he had an affair with Shaariibuu, 28, and that she was harassing him for money. Abdul Razak hired Balasubramaniam a few days before Shaariibuu's death to keep her away from him.

At a news conference arranged by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Balasubramaniam claimed Abdul Razak had told him that Najib had confessed to having a "sexual relationship" with her previously.

Balasubramaniam acknowledged his information was hearsay.

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