Altantuya: What happen to the DNA test?

Blogger Howsy asked this question (all the way from UK) today: Altantuya son’s DNA test: is it out yet?

“Susan, any pointers?”

Malaysia mudah lupa (forgets easily), said Howsy. Well, my dear friend, Malaysia mudah tipu (lies easily) also.

Here’s your answer, confirmation of which I received last night:

On March 12, Bernama reported that DNA experts will be in Mongolia to take blood samples from Altantuya Shariibuu’s youngest son, Altanshagai, 3. The paper who quoted Mongolian consul in Malaysia Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Habshi said the report will be out on Saturday, March 17. Yet, until now, there is no news about the matter

He also said:

“Our special team comprising Federal CID deputy director (II) Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, Kuala Lumpur deputy serious crimes chief DSP Gan Tack Guan and a forensic specialist Dr Azreen from Kuala Lumpur, will witness the test to ensure the test is conducted fairly.

“NHUB officials told me that it would take about two or three days to conduct a thorough DNA test. I have learnt the final result of the test is very vital for the prosecution on the June trial, to determine the real father of Altanshagai”.

According to sources close to her father, Mr. Shariibuu, said the “experts” arrived at his home, without documents. They were actually from Interpol, and Mr. Shariibuu complied with their requests because they were representatives of “the King of Malaysia’. They said their work was “secret”, so they did not show him any documentation. Earlier, Mr. Shariibuu was not even informed about their visit.

“Even Dr Shaariibuu Setev (Altantuya’s father) called me yesterday and promised me that he will give his full cooperation to our special team in order to expedite the DNA test,” Abdul Rahman said.

And while they (DNA experts, Interpol, whatever) saw her son, they did not take blood samples from him. Instead, they took it from her mother, Mrs. Shariibuu. Now why did they do that? I believe they have tested her DNA back then when the case first burst onto the scene. What do they want to prove? Any ordinary person will think: that it is probably to prove whether the remains belong to Altantuya. But I thought they have done it before? Or, do they want to double-check? Because, if it is really isn’t Altantuya’s, then really there is no basis for the case. But where then is Altantuya?

The reason for wanting Altantuya son’s DNA was to see if her alleged murderer, who is now in police custody – Abdul Razak Baginda – was indeed father to her son. But Mr. Shariibuu had pointed out: the little boy was born in 2003, whereas Altantuya met Baginda in 2004. So, it is impossible for the boy to be fathered by Baginda. So, who’s the father?

I have no idea how knowing the father of the boy could be relevant to the case. Knowing where the alleged murderers obtained the c4 explosives used to kill her and who authorised it may be helpful.

Meanwhile, the Mongolian Foreign Ministry responsive towards the matter seem to be cold as well. Ministry officials refused to meet with Civil Society organisations who are currently helping out Mr. Shariibuu in the case. The NGOs are now planning to take the matter up to the Prime Minister.

So, do you still think we will hear any news about the DNA test from the papers?

Who actually lied? Either Bernama has been had or the Consul had lied, or whoever who leaked the information out to the Consul, who then eagerly leaked the information to Bernama, lied. Either way, the information was wrong, because no DNA test was done on the young boy, who is sick and awaiting treatment for his failing health.