Najib Razak's links to those accused in model's death under scrutiny
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is under mounting pressure to explain his connections to a gruesome murder case, after police said they were reopening their investigations in light of an affidavit that implicated his aide-de-camp.
The case has stunned Malaysia's political establishment, with prominent analyst Abdul Razak Baginda - a friend of the deputy prime minister - accused of arranging the murder of Altantunya Shaariibuu, who was shot dead on October 19 and her body blown to pieces with C4 explosives. Two special forces commandos who had served on Mr Najib's security detail are accused of carrying out the killing of the Mongolian former model.
On Friday, the married Abdul Razak tendered to a court an affidavit in which he admitted being the victim's lover. He also claimed to have contacted Mr Najib's security chief, deputy police superintendent Musa Safar, to help him after his lover began to harass him for money. But he denies asking for her to be killed.
Opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim is piling on the pressure, attacking police at political rallies for failing to question Mr Najib. On Saturday, Mr Anwar said: '[Mr Najib] needs to co-operate with the investigations. He must be questioned. We are not inferring that he is in the know or gave instructions.'
Parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang wants Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to order a full investigation of Mr Najib's connections with the three accused.
'Mr Najib cannot maintain an elegant silence any more. He should explain when he knew about [Abdul Razak's] problems and the involvement of his security detail.'