Malaysia Launches International Manhunt For Private Detective

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AHN) - Malaysian police started an international manhunt for a private investigator who went missing after he retracted a claim linking the country's top politician and a slain Mongolian woman.

Balasubramaniam Perumal disappeared after implicating Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak of being involved in the sexual misconduct with the Mongolian woman who was later found murdered.

Malaysian Criminal Investigation Department Director Bakri Zinin told reporters on Sunday that Perumal may be hiding with the help of unidentified parties.

At a news conference on Thursday, the private investigator released a statement alleging Najib of having an affair with Altantuya Shaariibuu, which Najib refused angrily.

On Friday, Perumal disclosed that he is retracting the accusations as he had made them under duress.

On Saturday, Perumal's nephew filed a missing person's report, stating that the private investigator went missing along with his family.

The 28-year-old Mongolian translator was was murdered in two years ago and her body blown up with explosives in a forest in Malaysia.

"I give a guarantee of his safety if he comes to meet us and he is free to bring a lawyer to the meeting," Zinin was quoted as telling reporters on Sunday, according to the Agency France Press..

"The police in the country have been put on alert to find him. We have informed Interpol... as well as the police in neighboring countries," Zinin added.

Najib has reportedly been contesting against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in order to succeed Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the country's next leader.