Members of the Mongolian Parliament have appealed to their Malaysian counterparts to ensure that the upcoming trial in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu will be "free of political influence".

The appeal was conveyed in a letter handed over by Mongolian Foreign Ministry representative Yadmaa Ariunbold (far right) to the chief administrator of Parliament, Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria, at a brief meeting this afternoon.

Also present at the meeting was the honorary consul of Mongolia in Malaysia, Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Habshi.

"I have presented the appeal letter addressed to Malaysian MPs. There seems to be alleged involvement of some influential political persons (in the case)," Yadmaa told reporters when met later.

He said that, in the one-page letter, the Mongolian Parliament expressed hope for a trial that is "independent and free of political influence", and further appealed to MPs to observe the legal proceedings.

Yadmaa said he would submit a similar letter from the Mongolian Prime Minister Mieagombo Enkhbold to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

Altantuya, a 28-year-old freelance model from Mongolia, was allegedly shot dead and her body blown up with explosives at the Subang Dam in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam.

The murder, which made headlines last month, has seen prominent political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda being charged with abetting two police personnel from the elite unit.

Abdul Razak, who claimed trial, was released on a non-secured bond due to health reasons, a move questioned by certain quarters.

The case will be mentioned in the Shah Alam High Court tomorrow, when a date is expected to be set for the hearing.

Yesterday, 45 Mongolian organisations in a joint statement called for the trial to be conducted in an impartial manner.