KUALA LUMPUR – The Court of Appeal today slashed compensation for the family of slain Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, cutting it from RM5 million to RM1.38 million in their suit against political analyst Razak Baginda and two ex-policemen over her 2006 murder.
Altantuya’s parents, Shaariibuu Setev and Altantsetseg Sanjaa, together with her son Mungunshagai, had sued the government, Razak, and former policemen Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, alleging a conspiracy behind the brutal killing.
Delivering the ruling, Chief Judge of Malaya Hashim Hamzah said the High Court had erred in awarding RM5 million, stressing the government cannot be held liable as Sirul and Azilah were not acting in official capacity during the crime.
The decision was handed down by a three‑judge panel comprising Hashim, Justice Azman Abdullah and Justice K Muniandy.
K Muniandy said the government could not be held vicariously liable as Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri were not acting in their official capacity during the murder.
He described the arrangement involving Razak Baginda and the two policemen as a “private arrangement” to deal with Altantuya, who had sought him out in October 2006 over unpaid translation work.
The court found Razak had “taken part” in her abduction by instructing Sirul and Azilah, noting their interception of Altantuya outside his home was facilitated by his information and constant communication. This, Muniandy said, pointed to a shared intent to ensure her disappearance.
Altantuya’s family was awarded RM1 million in aggravated damages for the “outrageous and barbaric” nature of her killing, RM384,000 for loss of dependency, and RM10,000 for bereavement costs. – 20 Januari, 2026