THE credibility of institutions is tested most severely when cases involve public authority or individuals linked to positions of influence, says former Mongolian prime minister Gombojav Zandanshatar, as he called for transparency in the unresolved questions surrounding the Altantuya Shaariibuu case.
Zandanshatar told The Vibes in an exclusive interview that examining difficult questions through lawful and independent processes should not be viewed as an attack on institutions, but as a way to strengthen public confidence in them.
“Institutional transparency is essential. The rule of law is tested most seriously when a case touches public authority, state institutions or people with influence.”
“No institution earns trust by avoiding difficult questions. Trust is earned by examining them lawfully, independently and openly,” he said.
His remarks come as Altantuya’s family continues its legal efforts following years of criminal and civil proceedings stemming from her murder in Malaysia in 2006.
Zandanshatar stressed that he was not making accusations against any individual, but believed all relevant questions should be examined through the proper legal process.
“I do not accuse any individual. I ask only that every material question be examined.”
Beyond who carried out the killing
Two former police officers were convicted over Altantuya’s murder in 2009, before their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2013. The Federal Court later reinstated those convictions in 2015.
However, Zandanshatar said the family’s search for answers continued beyond the question of who carried out the killing.
“The criminal convictions answered who carried out the killing, but the family has continued to seek a complete understanding of why it happened and whether responsibility extends further.”
He said any remaining questions must be addressed through evidence, investigation and the courts, rather than speculation.
“Those questions should be addressed through investigation and law, not speculation.”
The civil proceedings surrounding the case remain ongoing, with the family seeking leave to appeal aspects of the Court of Appeal’s January 2026 decision concerning damages and the Malaysian Government’s liability.
Handling serious allegations
Zandanshatar also touched on allegations made by one of the convicted individuals in sworn statements regarding instructions he claimed to have received.
He said such claims must be treated carefully and should not be regarded as proven unless established through the proper legal process.
“Those claims are allegations and must not be treated as fact unless they are proven through the proper legal process.”
At the same time, he said allegations of such gravity should not simply be dismissed and that related legal processes should be allowed to proceed independently.
Speaking further, he said transparency was important not only for the family seeking answers, but also for the institutions involved.
“A transparent process protects Malaysia’s institutions as much as it protects the family.”
A test of public confidence
For Zandanshatar, justice required more than a legal outcome. It involved truth, accountability and acknowledgement.
He said truth meant allowing proper investigations and judicial processes to establish the fullest account possible, while accountability required responsibility to be determined based on evidence and law.
“The second is accountability: responsibility assigned wherever admissible evidence and the law lead, without favour for rank, wealth or position.”
He added that acknowledgement remained important for a family that had spent years seeking closure.
“An apology cannot restore a life or erase twenty years of grief, but an honest acknowledgement can carry great meaning.”
After almost two decades, Zandanshatar said the pursuit of justice should remain grounded in the rule of law.
“We respect Malaysia, and we respectfully ask that justice be allowed to run its full course.” - July 14, 2026
