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Thursday 14 January 2010

MACC prepared to meet PI Bala abroad over Altantuya case

By G. Manimaran and Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 13 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today declared it is prepared to meet private detective P. Balasubramaniam anywhere — even abroad — over his allegations linked to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder.

The missing private investigator has made a series of claims that involve Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family.

Najib has denied all claims, calling them “scurrilous statements”.

“For us, Balasubramaniam is the main witness. We are prepared [to get] it anywhere, even abroad,” newly-minted MACC chief Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed told reporters here.

Last month, Bala emailed the offer to meet MACC investigators over his claims contained in a series of videotaped interviews broadcasted over Youtube and the Malaysia Today news portal.

Altantuya, a Mongolian interpreter, was found killed in October 2006. Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was acquitted of plotting her murder while two elite special action squad policemen were found guilty last year for her death.

MACC deputy chief Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull also asked Bala to come forward and provide a statement.

“We need him to come forward and come to us. We need to record a statement. Without Bala’s statement, we are not able to complete the investigation.

“So whatever conditions set, Bala must come to us,” he said.

Mohd Shukri stressed that Bala should not be afraid and that the MACC is willing to meet him anywhere.

“I will not tell the process of how we are going to get him but we are currently working to get his statement. I urge Bala to come to us and [not] be afraid. He is only a witness and not the accused.

Mohd Shukri confirmed that they have yet to make contact with Bala.

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