Mongolia sends Malaysia a diplomatic note over the Altantuya case

Mongolia's foreign ministry has delivered a démarche, a formal diplomatic note, to Malaysia seeking an official response on the case of Shaariibuu Altantuya, the Mongolian national killed in Malaysia in 2006. Former Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar, the government's special envoy on the case, told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on November 12 that the note was handed to Malaysia's ambassadors in Bangkok and Beijing on November 10.

What Mongolia is asking for

According to Free Malaysia Today and the New Straits Times, Mongolia asked for fair consideration, free from political or outside interference, of the challenge by Altantuya's father, Setev Shaariibuu, to the Court of Appeal ruling of January 20, 2026. That ruling found the Malaysian government not vicariously liable for the actions of former police officers Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, and reduced the damages awarded to the family from RM5 million to RM1.38 million. The note also asks that Sirul, who left Malaysia in 2014 and now lives in Australia, give evidence in the civil proceedings, and that newly discovered or previously unexamined evidence be examined promptly, with updates given to the family through their lawyers.

The envoy's position

G. Zandanshatar said Mongolia regrets the Court of Appeal's decision and believes that, if government and police officers were involved, the Malaysian government should be held accountable to a certain extent. He said Mongolia would keep raising the matter internationally, including at the United Nations and possibly the International Criminal Court, while respecting Malaysia's sovereignty. No meeting with Malaysian officials has been scheduled, and Mongolia will continue to press its requests through diplomatic and legal channels.

The New Straits Times reported that Malaysia's High Court has postponed to January 12, 2027 the hearing of a judicial review application by Altantuya's father seeking to compel police to investigate supplementary affidavits by Azilah Hadri. The Associated Press described the note as a diplomatic protest over Malaysia's handling of the 20-year-old murder case.

Reaction on X

Posts citing the Malaysian coverage circulated among Mongolian users, some of whom criticised how long the case has gone unresolved.