A-G on why he changed team of prosecutors

The Straits Times, June 7, 2007


KUALA LUMPUR - ATTORNEY-GENERAL Abdul Gani Patail said yesterday that he had to replace the original team of prosecutors for the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial because the lead prosecutor had been seen playing badminton with the trial's judge.

Tan Sri Abdul Gani told reporters: '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.'

The switch caused the trial - presided over by Judge Mohammad Zaki Mohammad Yasin - to be postponed till June 18 because the replacement prosecutors said they needed time to acquaint themselves with the case.

On Monday, which was also the first day of the trial, Tan Sri Abdul Gani had at first said in a statement that he had replaced the two original prosecutors at the eleventh hour to ensure a 'fair trial', so that 'the public knows exactly what happened and how the police investigated the case'.

The next day, Malaysia's Bar Council chairman S. Ambiga said that, while it was Tan Sri Abdul Gani's prerogative to choose his team for the closely-watched trial, the reason he had given then for suddenly changing prosecutors was 'very unusual'.

She also noted the frenzy of speculation that the sudden switch in prosecutors had unleashed including, among other things, buzz about possible plea bargains or reduced charges for at least one of the three men in the dock, namely political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

Abdul Razak was a close associate of Malaysian Deputy Premier Najib Tun Razak, and is charged with abetting the murder of Ms Altantuya, whom he admitted having an affair with.

Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 31, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 36, are charged with shooting her in the head twice and then blowing up her body with explosives last October.

BERNAMA, REUTERS, THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK