The Shah Alam High Court today fixed June 4 to hear the high-profile murder trial of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu. The trial will continue for about one month until June 29.

Prominent political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 46, is implicated in the murder, along with two other policemen - C/Insp Azilah Hadri, 30, and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, 35.

Originally justice KN Segara had fixed March 10 next year to hear the case.

However in a sudden twist last week, chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim said criminal cases in the Shah Alam High Court fixed next year would be brought forward to this year.

It is also learned that Abdul Razak's lawyer had sent a letter to the Shah Alam High Court to expedite the trial.

Following that, the matter came before judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Md Yassin this morning, who fixed the new early dates to hear the matter.

Given priority

Mohd Zaki explained that there were now three more judicial commissioners, on top of the present three, hearing criminal cases in the Shah Alam High Court.

"All judges have agreed to bring forward (backlogged) criminal cases," he said, adding that those involving civil servants must be given priority.

Unsatisfied, lawyer Karpal Singh, who was holding watching brief on behalf of Altantuya's family, sought further clarification.

Mohd Zaki, in asking if Karpal had any problems with him trying the case, said that the cases brought forward were equally distributed among the judges.

He adds that Segara had more cases to try than him, and thus the case was assigned to him.

Cop's counsels protest

After Mohd Zaki had said he was looking at a possible trial date in April, Sairul Azhar's counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin protested bringing forward the date by nearly a year, claiming that preparation for the case was planned according to the original March 2008 trial date.

Interjecting, Abdul Razak's lawyer Wong Kian Keong said the case was of public interest and should be heard as soon as possible.

"The third accused (Abdul Razak) had also filed an affidavit to help expedite the trial... I have strict instructions from my client to seek the earliest possible trial date," said Wong.

Counsel for Azilah, Zulkifli Noordin (pix) later argued that he was prepared to go 'full swing' with a June 4 trial date, adding that they had an estimated 40 witnesses to prepare.

"Give sufficient time for us to prepare so we won't have to seek a postponement later," said Zulkifli, adding that he would have to consult his client if the suggested trial date was any earlier.

After further deliberation, Mohd Zaki settled for the June 4 trial date.

"There will be no postponements. The case will continue until it is concluded," said Mohd Zaki.

Met later, deputy public prosecutor Salehudin Saidin said they were ready for the case despite the new trial date.

"I have no comment, but as far as we are concerned, we are ready. (The trial) can start tomorrow, (or it) can start anytime," said Salehudin.

Girl burst into tears

A commotion broke out later in Mohd Zaki's court room when he was about to hear another case.

Abdul Razak's daughter, Roweena, starting bawling aloud, prompting Mohd Zaki to order her to leave the court room.

Abdul Razak's wife, Mazlinda Makhzan apologetically told the Mohd Zaki that her daughter had a 'nerve problem'. Mohd Zaki later suspended court proceedings for 10 minutes.

Together with relatives, Mazlinda helped her daughter into an awaiting silver Mercedez Benz before leaving the court complex.

Blown to bits

Altantunya was said to have been shot and her remains later blown up with explosives. The remains were found at a forest area in Puncak Alam in Shah Alam on Nov 6 last year.

He allegedly committed the offence between 9.54am and 11.05am on Oct 18 at Level 10, Bangunan Getah Asli, in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. This is the official address of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, which Razak heads.

Azilah and Sirul Azhar, both from the special unit force were accused of murdering Altantuya in Lot 12843 and Lot 16735, Mukim Bukit Raja, Selangor, between 10 pm, Oct 19 and 1 am, Oct 20 last year.

Abdul Razak, who is known to have close ties with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read with Section 302 of the same code, which carries the mandatory death sentence, if convicted.

He is being remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison. All three accused persons were not in court today.

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