Najib's downplay of Sirul's claim 'suspicious'

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's downplaying of Sirul Azhar Umar's claims that the ex-commando had killed Antantuya Shariibuu “under orders” was "suspicious" and "premature", PKR said today.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, in a statement today, said that Najib's statement should be probed by the police.

Najib today branded the claims made by Sirul, a murder convict who is currently held in an immigration detention centre in Australia, as "utter rubbish."

"Najib previously swore that he never knew Altantuya. If that is true, why did he make such a comment?

"Does he know more than the general public regarding Sirul's actions?" Fahmi asked.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang also waded in, describing Najib's “utter rubbish” response as a "rash and imprudent outburst", which may suggest that he knew more.

"But Najib’s outburst could be self-incriminating, implying that he knew the circumstances leading to the murder of Altantuya by two police commandos acting ‘under order’," Lim said.

He also asked if the police chief’s reluctance to follow up on the murder is linked to the prime minister’s outburst.

"Is the Prime Minister’s stand dismissing Sirul’s claim that he had acted under order to kill Altantuya the reason why the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, is so obstinate in refusing to re-open investigations in Altantuya’s murder?" he asked.