By New Sraits Times

July 5, 2008




KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyer who had taken down the statutory declaration by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam said it was done voluntarily.

Americk Singh Sidhu claimed Balasubramaniam had been "intimidated" to change his story within 24 hours.

He said at a press conference he first met Balasubramaniam two months ago where he was asked for assistance in preparing a formal document incorporating evidence that had not been presented in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial.

"I started the process about two weeks after that.

"I would have met him a few times when I recorded in longhand what Balasubramaniam said to me."

Americk said he had no reason to doubt that what Balasubramaniam told him was the truth.

Americk said the statutory declaration was read in front of a commissioner for oaths, who then attested it.

"I am, therefore, extremely surprised that Balasubramaniam, in a space of 24 hours has engaged the services of another lawyer and affirmed another statutory declaration swearing the first one was untrue and that he was forced to sign it."

Americk said he had last spoken to Balasubramaniam at his office on Thursday.

"After we finished with the press conference we went back to my office.

"He had been receiving a lot of phone calls but Balasubramaniam did not answer them."

Americk said when he asked him who had been calling him, Balasubramaniam said it was "ASP Tony from the Altantuya trial".

"He spoke in front of me. It was lively, they were talking about fish head curry.

"The impression I got was Balasubramaniam was going to meet Tony in Brickfields at 6.30pm."