Scorpene & Altantuya case
The Scorpene submarine deal and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu are interlinked controversies in Malaysia. Altantuya, associated with an individual involved in the submarine procurement, was murdered in 2006; two police bodyguards were convicted of her killing. Allegations of commissions in the submarine deal have been investigated in Malaysia and pursued in French courts, with ongoing legal and public scrutiny.
Key facts
- Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered in 2006, and two police officers, Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, were convicted of her killing.
- In 2022, Altantuya’s family won a civil suit against the convicted police officers, Razak Baginda, and the Malaysian government.
- Malaysia’s MACC reopened its investigation into the Scorpene submarine deal in July 2024 and reported discovering new clues.
- French prosecutors have continued to advance investigations into the Scorpene scandal, with movement reported as recently as May 2025.
- Altantuya’s name was found in French investigation documents and referenced in Scorpene submarine after-sales services contracts.
- Sirul Azhar Umar, after fleeing to Australia, made public allegations linking Najib Razak to the Scorpene deal and Altantuya’s murder.
- Various Malaysian civil society groups, lawyers, and media outlets have repeatedly called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into Altantuya’s murder.
- The Scorpene submarine procurement has been alleged to involve payment of commissions, with Razak Baginda claiming in 2016 that he received €30 million in 'consultation fees'.
Analysis
The Scorpene submarine procurement and the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu have remained interconnected issues in Malaysian public and legal discourse for over a decade. Altantuya, a Mongolian national linked to Razak Baginda—an associate involved in the Scorpene deal—was murdered in 2006, leading to the conviction of two police officers, Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, for her killing. Her family has persistently sought justice, including winning a civil suit in 2022 against the convicted officers, Razak Baginda, and the government. Allegations of kickbacks and commissions in the submarine deal have triggered investigations by Malaysia’s MACC, which reopened its probe in 2024 and claimed to have discovered new clues. French prosecutors have also pursued the Scorpene scandal independently, moving forward with investigations as recently as 2025 despite Malaysian governmental silence. Over the years, various developments have kept the case alive: Altantuya’s name appeared in French probe documents and Scorpene after-sales contracts; Sirul Azhar Umar, after fleeing to Australia, made public allegations implicating former Prime Minister Najib Razak; and civil society groups, lawyers, and media outlets have repeatedly called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) or full reinvestigation. The case continues to be a subject of legal actions, media scrutiny, and public demand for transparency, with no final resolution on the broader allegations of corruption in the submarine deal or the full circumstances of Altantuya’s murder.
This explanation is generated from the cited news sources below. It states only what those sources support.
Timeline
Murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu
Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian national, was murdered in Malaysia; her body was discovered near a forest clearing in Shah Alam, Selangor.
news.google.comRazak Baginda claims €30 million in Scorpene 'consultation fees'
Razak Baginda stated he received €30 million over Scorpene submarine 'consultation fees'.
news.google.com
Relationship graph
People, organisations and items linked to this issue. Hover a node to focus its connections; names in blue link to a tracked politician profile.
- French Scorpene Submarine Dealitem
Malaysia's procurement of two Scorpene-class submarines from France, subject to allegations of corruption and commission payments
- Aliranorganization
Published articles calling for full truth in Altantuya’s case and covering developments in the Scorpene scandal
- French prosecutorsorganization
Advanced investigations into the Scorpene submarine scandal, with movement reported in 2025
- Malaysiakiniorganization
Published calls for RCI into Altantuya’s murder, reported on Razak Baginda charge, and covered Scorpene deal developments
- Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)organization
Reopened investigation into Scorpene submarine deal in 2024 and reported discovering new clues
- NST Onlineorganization
Published chronology of Scorpene scandal and reported on MACC reopening investigation with new clues
- Royal Malaysian Policeorganization
Involved in the investigation and prosecution of Altantuya's murder; two of its UTK officers were convicted of the killing
- South China Morning Postorganization
Published article describing Altantuya’s murder as a scandal haunting Najib Razak
- The Edge Malaysiaorganization
Published the 2019 report stating that Altantuya's name appeared in the Scorpene submarine's after-sales services contract
- The Straits Timesorganization
Reported on former police commando seeking royal pardon over Altantuya murder conviction
- The Third Forceorganization
Published a tracker providing a complete description of timelines, investigation outcomes, and personalities involved in the Scorpene & Altantuya case
- Altantuya Shaariibuuperson
Mongolian national whose murder in 2006 became linked to allegations surrounding the Scorpene submarine deal
- Azilah Hadriperson
Police officer convicted of Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder
- Najib Razakperson
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia; alleged to be linked to Scorpene deal and Altantuya’s murder by Sirul Azhar Umar
- Razak Bagindaperson
Associate linked to Scorpene submarine deal and Altantuya Shaariibuu; charged over the deal; claimed €30 million in consultation fees
- Sirul Azhar Umarperson
Police officer convicted of Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder; later made allegations against Najib Razak
News collection(22)
All information on this page is drawn from the cited public news sources above.Back to all issues