Malaysia Hopeful Australia Cooperates In Extraditing Sirul Azhar

BUTTERWORTH, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes Australia cooperates by extraditing Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar - one of two policemen sentenced to death by the Federal Court on Tuesday, for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu - if the Special Action Unit (UTK) commando is still in that country.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the court in Australia had the power to determine whether the UTK commando could be extradited if he was nabbed in that country based on the crime.

"What will happen if there are parties, or Sirul Azhar himself, challenges his extradition in an Australian court? So, the legal process of extradition will then be determined in court.

"It will then depend on the court to send Sirul Azhar back to face his sentence meted out by the Malaysian court.

"I have also been informed that Australia does not have the mandatory death sentence as in Malaysia. Perhaps, this could be a factor used by Sirul Azhar and his lawyer to prevent...even if Sirul Azhar does not challenge, the people in Australia might," he noted today.

Wan Junaidi was speaking at a press conference after opening the Nepal Consular office in Penang.

Also present was Nepal Ambasassador to Malaysia, Dr Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat and Penang Nepal Consular Honorary Consul Datuk Huan Cheng Guan.

On Tuesday, Sirul Azhar, 43, was abroad and thus, not present in court when the Federal Court issued a warrant of arrest for him.

The court had earlier, sentenced Sirul Azhar and another UTK commando, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri to death after finding them guilty of murdering Altantuya, nine years ago.

The court unanimously set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal on Oct 23, 2013 to acquit the duo.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said the establishment of the first consular office in Malaysia would strengthen diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Nepal, apart from facilitating both countries in all fields, especially in security.

He said the Nepal Government also planned to open investment opportunities for Malaysians, especially in agriculture, infrastructure and power generation, considering Malaysia had the expertise in those areas.