Global manhunt on for detective

Malaysian police launched an international manhunt yesterday for a private detective who went missing after retracting a claim suggesting links between the deputy prime minister and a slain Mongolian woman.

Balasubramaniam Perumal is believed to have gone into hiding, or is being hidden by unidentified parties, Malaysian Criminal Investigation Department Director Bakri Zinin told reporters.

His disappearance has added to the bizarre political drama that has played out in Malaysia since the March 8 general elections, when the ruling party was dealt a severe setback. Since then, both sides have traded allegations of sexual misconduct, conspiracies and assassination plots.