Private investigator P Balasubramaniam's death is a national tragedy for truth and justice.

By his death, truth and justice are left hanging in a limbo - for he possessed explosive information and stunning evidence to establish who were responsible for Altantuya Shaariibuu's death.

Bravely and valiantly, he had provided a sworn statutory declaration dated 1 July 2008 detailing very meticulously in chronological order all that had taken place resulting in the murder of Altantuya.

All those implicated and directly accused of involvement in this foul deed that shattered the Mongolian beauty into smithereens have failed to refute his allegations; they dared not even sue him.

Thinking Malaysians are left wondering if there was no shred of dignity in those implicated to defend themselves in a court of law.

They have done nothing to establish their innocence or dispel justified suspicions cast upon their character.

Bala showed gritty determination and tremendous courage in standing up to the state and pointing accusing fingers at the Prime Minister and his wife.

Bala had categorically stated:

1. Who was responsible for the murder of Altantuya;

2. Why she was murdered;

3. That she had a sexual liaison with a very important political personality;

4. That on the day Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested, he received a SMS which read: "I am seeing IGP at 11.00a.m. today ...... matter will be solved ... be cool" and named the sender of the message;

5. That the two convicted accused facing the death penalty are innocent;

6. That during the trial of the three accused the prosecutor did not raise questions about those implicated in Bala's statement (to the police) when he was called as a witness;

7. That the trial itself was not a satisfactory due process of justice.

Will all these issues remain buried with Bala's death? Will there be no answers to these issues?

You can bet there will be no further investigation into the death of Altantuya under the BN.

On the other hand if the Pakatan takes over Putrajaya, hopefully there will be a Commission of Inquiry. And Altantuya's spirit can be laid to rest.

In the meantime, there will be joy and jubilation in certain quarters. They will be able to heave a sigh of relief and breathe easily now that the threat is finally gone!

Aliran would like to extend our heart-felt condolences to Bala's family.

P RAMAKRISHNAN, a former president of Aliran, is now an Aliran executive committee member.