SHAH ALAM (Malaysia): A missing private investigator and a blogger, both of whom had implicated Deputy Premier Najib Razak in the case of a murdered Mongolian woman, are being sought as defence witnesses in the trial.

The case could become a political hot potato when it resumes in January, as investigator P. Balasubramaniam and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin have made controversial allegations about Datuk Seri Najib and the victim, Ms Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Mr Balasubramaniam had alleged that Mr Najib had sexual relations with her, while Raja Petra claimed that Mr Najib's wife was present when Ms Altantuya's body was blown up with explosives.This case, with its brew of politics, sex and murder, gripped Malaysia after the Deputy Premier's close associate, Mr Abdul Razak Baginda, was charged with instructing two policemen to kill Ms Altantuya.

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