The much-anticipated conference call today
between PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar with fugitive police commando
Sirul Azhar Umar proved an anti-climax, with Sirul saying he had
nothing to say at the present time.
"I fully respect the authority of the Australian government, whose protection I am under, and I need to respect Australia.
"I do not wish to make a statement at this moment. However, I will try to make a statement at a more approprate time.
"I
would also like to thank all Malaysian media for their coverage and I
would to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Australian government,
which has provided me with full protection, besides safe and comfortable
accomodation," Sirul said.
Sirul also mentioned that he was waiting for Mahfuz to call him earlier. He then said 'Thank you' with a catch in his voice.
Immediately after this, Sirul disconnected the mobile phone line without taking any questions from Mahfuz or from the remaining reporters present.
The call came after repeated attempts earlier to reach Sirul for the much-touted conference call failed. Most of the media had already left when Sirul finally was reached at 1.28pm.
Mahfuz earlier made numerous attempts to hold his conference call with Sirul in front of the press.
Will visit Australia
The conference call was supposed to be held at 11.30am at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. It was a packed event.
However, repeated attempts by Mahfuz to call Sirul's phone was futile. He gave up after about 40 minutes.
Mahfuz also showed the press his text message exchange with Sirul to show that the latter was ready for the conference call.
Following this, Mahfuz said that he would be trying to visit Sirul, with the latter's mother Piah Samad, 74, next week. Details are to be announced on Friday.
"We will be there for a week to visit Sirul. A press conference will be held, most probably on Friday, to announce the date we are leaving," said Mahfuz, who is also the Pokok Sena MP.
It is not certain why the calls failed. Mahfuz and his assistants had attempted to use several mobile network providers to contact Sirul, but to no avail.
Reporters at the scene also complained that they were experiencing abnormally poor network coverage at the PAS headquarters.
Ball at Sirul's feet
Previously, Malaysiakini had managed to contact Sirul who lamented that he was convicted based on circumstantial evidence and that he was merely following orders - which led to his encounter with Altantuya Shariibuu in October 2006.
Last
month, the Federal Court upheld the conviction of Sirul and Azilah
Hadri for the murder of Altantuya, a Mongolian national, and their death
sentence.
Sirul fled to Australia before the Federal Court decision. As he is on the Interpol red list, Australian authorities are holding him at an immigration facility in Villawood, Sydney.
Australia has stated that it is bound by laws that prevent Sirul's repatriation, unless Malaysia promises not to impose the death sentence on him.
However, Malaysiakini has learned that several Australia media outlets are attempting to interview Sirul and are in contact with him.
"I fully respect the authority of the Australian government, whose protection I am under, and I need to respect Australia.
"I do not wish to make a statement at this moment. However, I will try to make a statement at a more approprate time.
"I
would also like to thank all Malaysian media for their coverage and I
would to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Australian government,
which has provided me with full protection, besides safe and comfortable
accomodation," Sirul said.Sirul also mentioned that he was waiting for Mahfuz to call him earlier. He then said 'Thank you' with a catch in his voice.
Immediately after this, Sirul disconnected the mobile phone line without taking any questions from Mahfuz or from the remaining reporters present.
The call came after repeated attempts earlier to reach Sirul for the much-touted conference call failed. Most of the media had already left when Sirul finally was reached at 1.28pm.
Mahfuz earlier made numerous attempts to hold his conference call with Sirul in front of the press.
Will visit Australia
The conference call was supposed to be held at 11.30am at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. It was a packed event.
However, repeated attempts by Mahfuz to call Sirul's phone was futile. He gave up after about 40 minutes.
Mahfuz also showed the press his text message exchange with Sirul to show that the latter was ready for the conference call.Following this, Mahfuz said that he would be trying to visit Sirul, with the latter's mother Piah Samad, 74, next week. Details are to be announced on Friday.
"We will be there for a week to visit Sirul. A press conference will be held, most probably on Friday, to announce the date we are leaving," said Mahfuz, who is also the Pokok Sena MP.
It is not certain why the calls failed. Mahfuz and his assistants had attempted to use several mobile network providers to contact Sirul, but to no avail.
Reporters at the scene also complained that they were experiencing abnormally poor network coverage at the PAS headquarters.
Ball at Sirul's feet
Previously, Malaysiakini had managed to contact Sirul who lamented that he was convicted based on circumstantial evidence and that he was merely following orders - which led to his encounter with Altantuya Shariibuu in October 2006.
Last
month, the Federal Court upheld the conviction of Sirul and Azilah
Hadri for the murder of Altantuya, a Mongolian national, and their death
sentence.Sirul fled to Australia before the Federal Court decision. As he is on the Interpol red list, Australian authorities are holding him at an immigration facility in Villawood, Sydney.
Australia has stated that it is bound by laws that prevent Sirul's repatriation, unless Malaysia promises not to impose the death sentence on him.
However, Malaysiakini has learned that several Australia media outlets are attempting to interview Sirul and are in contact with him.
1 comment:
Please do not waste precious time with this brutal murderer.
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