Altantuya murder: The cover-up is as heinous as the crime

The executive cannot exert its authority because it needs rogue elements in the police force and judiciary to do its dirty work, which in turn compromises their own position. – ES Shankar, 'Altantuya – the Malaysian scene of the crime'

COMMENT | In my column about the PDRM and its rather ridiculous “Islamic/Moral” test for new recruits, I wrote: “Tradecraft, ethics and enforcement are extremely difficult to navigate, especially when political interference is the norm in tottering democracies like Malaysia.”

Setev Shaariibuu, the father of Altantuya said that Malaysia should come clean about the murder of his daughter. Lim Kit Siang is correct when he likens the murder of Altantuya to that of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated allegedly on the orders of Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in terms of brazenness and institutional complicity.

While I do not want to distract from the murder of Altantuya, these allegations by Azilah Hadri point to deeper and older concerns for the public, non-governmental organizations, activists, former politicians, and of course former state security personnel of the massive corruption and political interference in the state security apparatus...