Govt, Razak Baginda appeal against ruling on Altantuya suit

The government and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda have filed notices of appeal against the decision of the Shah Alam High Court allowing the suit of the family of model Altantuya Shaariibuu over her death in 2006.

The government filed a notice of appeal on Monday while Razak filed his the next day.

Lawyer Harshaan Zamani, who represents Altantuya's family, confirmed the matter when contacted.

"The appeal is set for case management on April 10 before deputy registrar of the Court of Appeal, Norshakinah Ahmad Kamarudin," he said.

On June 4, 2007, Altantuya's parents, Dr Shaariibuu and Altantsetseg Sanjaa, as well as their grandsons Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga, filed a RM100 million suit against former policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, as well as Razak and the Malaysian government.

On Dec 16 last year, judge Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera allowed the suit and ordered the defendants to jointly pay the plaintiffs a sum of RM5 million in general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

The judge also ordered the four defendants to pay RM25,000 each in costs.

In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said the model's death resulted in them suffering mental shock and psychological trauma, and sought compensation as well as exemplary and aggravated damages.