Before proceedings began, Mongolian professor Dr Shaariibuu informed the High Court in Malaysia that today would have been Altantuya’s birthday and requested everyone to observe a moment of silence. “If my daughter (Sh.Altantuya) was still alive, she would have celebrated her 40th birthday today.” Dr S.Shaariibuu, has been campaigning for justice regarding the murder of his daughter over a decade ago in what appears to have been a politically-motivated crime. Dr Shaariibuu, 69, who is a part-time professor at the Mongolian National University, added that he met with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last year, and has been promised justice.

Meanwhile, Civil Society and Human Rights Advisor to the Mongolian President G.Uyanga, who was present to follow the hearing today said that both the Mongolian government and its people wanted justice to be upheld and the responsible person punished.

The family of Sh.Altantuya filed a RM100 million suit against the Malaysian government on 4 June 2007.

It has been 13 years since Sh.Altantuya, a jet-setting Mongolian translator, was murdered sensationally in a patch of jungle outside Kuala Lumpur. Her killing triggered a scandal linked to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, but he repeatedly denied any involvement. Her death is said to be part of a scandal involving claims an associate of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak arranged huge kickbacks for the purchase of French submarines in 2002.