Scorpene probe: 'Altantuya, Razak travelled to HK'

Human rights NGO Suaram has revealed further details about a second trip together by murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, this time to Hong Kong.

"We found out that there were plane tickets to Hong Kong in the name of Altantuya, Razak and more persons," said Cynthia Gabriel (left), a Suaram secretariat member.

Altantuya had travelled with Abdul Razak - a close aide to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - before inking the deal to purchase two submarines from France by the Malaysian Defence Ministry.

Suaram had earlier disclosed that the duo had travelled to Macau on their first trip with another mystery individual.

The information comes ahead of a planned visit to Malaysia by prominent French lawyer William Bourdon, who Suaram promises will reveal new details about the controversial Scorpene submarine deal, including details about previously unknown payments involving “extremely high ranking officials”.

In April last year, Bourdon and his team fielded a case with prosecutors in Paris on behalf of Suaram into claims that French defence giant DCNS paid RM540 million in commission to Malaysian consulting company Perimekar Sdn Bhd, in which the majority shareholder is alleged to be Razak's wife.

Concerns that Bourdon may be barred

Asked if Suaram was worried that Bourdon would be refused entry and deported on arrival to Malaysia, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who is also a secretariat member of Suaram, said that it is a risk.

“We urge the government not to place any restrictions on Bourdon's entry into Malaysia, any restriction placed will be against the freedom of movement,” said Cynthia.

Bourdon (right) and his team of lawyers at Sherpa - a not-for-profit organisation that advocates corporate social responsibility - have been providing services to Suaram on a pro bono basis.

However, Suaram is looking to gather RM100,000 as a start-up fund for legal expenses in anticipation of the case going to open court in France.

“Despite parliamentarians having raised questions about the Scorpene purchase (in Parliament), we are still wanting for information to put together the pieces.

“We will pursue information that is not available here (in Malaysia), therefore, we require massive support from Malaysians,” Cynthia said.

Bourdon, who will be speaking at three Suaram dinner events in Penang, Selangor and Ipoh, Perak, is expected to reveal fresh information about the case.

Other personalities who will be speaking are DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, PAS deputy president Mohammad Sabu, PKR vice-president Tian Chua and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.

Details of the events can be found at Suaram's website, as well as further information on how to donate to Suaram's Ops Scorpene legal fund.