At different times, he found different ways to hide his face while on the witness stand - using his subpoena document, his hand and even the Mykad.

Ang Chong Beng, 56, the private investigator hired by Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, only gave the court a momentary glimpse of his face when instructed to do so for identification purposes.

He was continuing his testimony in the Shah Alam High Court today as the fifth witness in the closely-watched murder trial.

Counsel Ahmad Zaidi, who is appearing for accused Sirul Azhar Umar, Zaidi asked Ang to lower the Mykad so "I can see your face when you are answering my questions".

Ang complied and put the document in his pocket, but his hand shot up immediately as he objected to being made to show his face, saying there were people in the public gallery who were sketching the scene in the courtroom.

He told Judge Mohd Zaki Md Yasin that he is a private investigator and "if my face is published, I don't need to work any more".

After some hesitation, the judge told Ang that he could decide whether or not to expose his face.

That was not the end of the matter. When the hearing ended for the day, he went to extreme lengths to avoid reporters again, as he has been doing since the trial began into the murder of his client.

It is learnt that Ang went up to the top floor of the building and used another exit to sneak past reporters and photographers waiting for him at the main exit.

Yesterday, Ang had hidden from photographers for close to an hour at the end of proceedings, finally emerging about 5.50pm.

He faced the swarm of photographers with a large envelope covering the lower half of his face.

Unable to get past them, he called a police officer for assistance on his handphone and was driven away.

The hearing continues tomorrow with the prosecution calling the sixth witness.