WHERE IS RAZAK BAGINDA? - malaysiakini

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, recently acquitted of abetting in the murder of a Mongolian woman, failed to turn up this morning for a scheduled press conference, sparking speculation as to his whereabouts.

Members of the press who turned up at the swanky boutique Maya Hotel were told by reception that the press conference had been cancelled. No reasons were given.

Abdul Razak had told reporters camped outside his residence in the leafy Damansara Heights suburb here that he would meet them at the hotel this morning for an extensive question-and-answer session.

His acquittal last week in the murder trial of his former lover Altantuya Shaariibuu has given rise to a host of questions because of the sensational nature of the case.

The affable political analyst's close ties as a confidant of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also sparked wild rumours and speculation.

Najib was even forced to swear that he had never met Altantuya and was not involved in the case.

If Abdul Razak does not make a public appearance soon, it will probably add grist to the rumour mill.

It would also bring to mind the sensational disappearance last year of P Balasubramaniam, the private investigator hired by Abdul Razak to help him deal with an alleged bid by Altantuya to blackmail him for money over their love affair.

Popularly known as P.I. Bala, he fled Malaysia after making a series of statutory declarations which first appeared to implicate Najib, and then clear the DPM subsequently.

The no-show by Abdul Razak today will certainly add to the intrigue, twist and turns and sensational nature of the trial.

Malaysians were shocked by the gruesome discovery in late 2006 of what remained of Altantuya in a remote forest area just outside the city.

She was found to have been blown into pieces with military grade C4 explosives strapped to her body.

Abdul Razak was arrested subsequently and later charged with abetting in her murder.
Two policemen, Chief Insp Azilah Hadri and Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, remain on trial for her murder. -- TMI