'PM shouldn't worry, Sirul yet to name names'

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should not be unduly worried over former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar’s claims that those who had the motive to want Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu dead were still at large.

PAS information chief and Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar who said this, added it was surprsing that the prime minister would react to Sirul's recent statement as 'only those who ate chili would feel its spiciness'.

Mahfuz (left) said the although Sirul said he had acted under instructions with regards to the Altantuya murder, he did not name any individuals when he said that he had allegedly received orders to kill the Mongolian.

“Why is it rubbish? Who is not making sense? Either Sirul is not making sense or the prime minister is not making sense.

“Sirul did not mention the prime minister when he said that he was only following orders in the murder of Altantuya. So why did the prime minister give such a response?” said Mahfuz at a press conference today.

At the MCA Chinese New Year open house yesterday, when asked on Sirul’s claim that he had received orders from above to kill Altantuya, the prime minister had replied 'utter rubbish'.

Sirul had made the claim during an exclusive telephone interview with Malaysiakini, during which he also said he was being made a scapegoat and that he was considering 'revealing all' with regards to the Altantuya case.

'No need to bring Sirul back'

Mahfuz said there was no need to bring back Sirul to Malaysia, referring to the case of former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat who was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for joining the Al-Qaeda two years ago.

“Investigations can be done in Australia just like in the case of Yazid Sufaat,” he said.

He added that it was unfair for Sirul (right) to be brought back to the country as he had been given the death sentence.

Expressing concern that the case will instead be closed, Mahfuz said Malaysian police officers should instead be sent to Australia.

Mahfuz also said the necessary documents for Sirul’s mother and sister to leave for Australia have been completed and they were now waiting for their visas to be ready.

Five PAS members will leave with them for Australia to meet Sirul for a week. The dates will be announced soon, said Mahfuz.

 

Petunjuk baru dari Sirul, IGP digesa siasat dalang pembunuhan

Najib: Sirul's claims utter rubbish

I never admitted to killing her, says Sirul

EXCLUSIVE The Federal Court has sentenced him to death, but former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar said that he never admitted to murdering Altantuya Shaariibuu.

In a telephone conversation with Malaysiakini, he maintained that he had acted under orders and was being made a scapegoat.

"There are no witnesses to the murder until today. All this is based on circumstantial evidence linking me (to the murder).

"I understand that circumstantial evidence is not strong as direct evidence," said the 43-year-old father of two.

Last month, the apex court convicted Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri in relation to the 2006 murder.

The pair was said to have shot dead the Mongolian national and blew up her remains with military-grade explosives in a jungle.

However, the prosecution and court did not establish a motive and this fueled speculation, especially since one of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s close associate, political analyst Razak Baginda was also implicated.

Razak Baginda was charged with abetting the murder but was freed without his defence being called.

Najib, who was then deputy prime minister, also denied any links with the matter and swore in the name of God as well. The police also cleared him of any wrongdoing.

This morning, the prime minister dismissed Sirul's claim of having acted under orders and that those who had a motive to kill her are still free as "utter rubbish".

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Sirul's dissatisfaction with the legal proceedings, among others, his former superior DSP Musa Safri (left), who was then Najib’s aide de camp.

Meanwhile, the former police commando is also upset with Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar for releasing his photograph.

"Why reveal the photo without my consent? Since the start of the hearing and up to the appeal at the Federal Court, I managed to hide my face.

"What is the purpose (of releasing my photo)?" he asked.

Sirul, who did not turn up at court when the verdict was announced, was later arrested in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan 21 after an Interpol red notice was issued.

He is currently being held at the Villawood immigration detention centre in Sydney, where he has been given access to a mobile phone and internet.

Malaysia aims to file for his extradition but Australian law forbids sending back those who face capital punishment in their home countries.

Sirul had also told Malaysiakini that he is planning to reveal all on the case after being approached by several Australian media organisations.

 

Najib: Sirul's 'acted on orders' claim is rubbish

[VIDEO: 0.22]

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has described former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's claim that he acted under orders as "utter rubbish".

He said this after attending the MCA Chinese New Year open house event at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Malaysiakini, Sirul had claimed that he was following directives and the people with the motive to murder Altantuya Shaariibuu are still free.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has described former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's claim that he acted under orders as "utter rubbish".

He said this after attending the MCA Chinese New Year open house event at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

At first, Najib delivered his Chinese New Year message and said he is confident Malaysians would be able make 2015 a good year despite the nation facing major economic challenges.

Immediately after this, Malaysiakini quizzed him about Sirul's claim that he acted under orders and that those with the motive to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu are still free.

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, shook his head in disapproval and started to leave.

When pressed, he said "utter rubbish" and left.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Malaysiakini, Sirul had claimed that he was acting on orders and reiterated that he was being made a "scapegoat".

He is also mulling the possibility of revealing all regarding the case after being approached by several Australian media organisations for interviews.

Last month, the Federal Court sentenced Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri to death for the murder.

Sirul, however, was not present as he had fled to Australia where he is currently being held at an immigration detention centre in Sydney.

Malaysia is in the process of filing for his extradition but Australian law dictates that a person facing the death sentence in his or her home country cannot be sent back.

 

Ex-IGP: Sirul must reveal first for cops to probe

Sirul Azhar Umar must reveal what he knows before an investigation can be launched, said former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

“The police cannot investigate if he just threatens to do so. It is like he wants to say but doesn’t say,” he told Malaysiakini.

However, Musa said Sirul (right) should disclose under whose orders he acted and the people whom he claims had a motive to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu but are still free.

He stressed that if the former police commando reveals the names, then an investigation must be initiated.

“If there is new evidence, then the police must investigate. Perhaps he should come back (from Australia) to help the police,” he said.

Musa said he agreed with his successor Khalid Abu Bakar who pointed out that the police require sufficient grounds to proceed with an investigation.

The latter said this in response to a police report filed by DAP today urging for an investigation to be started on Sirul’s claims made in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini.

Khalid’s remark that the police report was based on hearsay led one DAP lawmaker to warn the IGP that he would file a report with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) if Khalid does not act.

The gruesome murder of the Mongolian national had taken place in 2006 when Musa was the police chief.

Musa also said he was not aware if Sirul made similar remarks during interrogation following his arrest then.

Last month, the Federal Court sentenced Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri to death but like the lower courts which heard the matter previously no motive was established.

The absence of a motive ignited speculation since political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda -  a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - was implicated in the case.

Razak Baginda (right) was charged with abetting the murder but was freed without his defence being called.

This morning, Najib - who was deputy prime minister when the murder happened - courted controversy when he described Sirul’s claims as “utter rubbish”.

Sirul had fled to Australia before the apex court issued its verdict. He is currently being detained at an immigration facility in Sydney.

 

IGP: DAP report on Sirul based on hearsay

The police require "sufficient grounds" to proceed with an investigation, said Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.

He told Malaysiakini this is required by Section 110(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"Mere allegations are not sufficient ground. DAP's police report is based on hearsay reported in the media.

"Section 110(1)(b) further states that the police need not proceed or further proceed if there is no sufficient ground. In fact, it states that the police shall not do so," he said.

Khalid was responding to the police report lodged by DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng this morning urging for investigations to be carried out on the claim by former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar.

In a telephone interview with Malaysiakini, Sirul had claimed that he acted on orders and that people with the motive to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu are still free.

Last month, the Federal Court sentenced Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri to death for the murder.

Sirul also expressed dissatisfaction with the legal process and reiterated his claim that he was being made into a "scapegoat".

The 43-year-old father of two was not present when the verdict was announced and it was later revealed that he had fled to Australia.

Sirul (right) is currently being held at an immigration detention centre in Sydney.

Yesterday, Khalid said the police do not intend to re-open investigations into the case.

"We do not see any reason to conduct a new probe into the case because of instigation of certain parties. We will see first what he (Sirul, right) will reveal," he had added.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, on the other hand, dismissed Sirul’s claims as "utter rubbish".

 

Gobind: Has PM checkmated himself?

How does Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak know that Sirul Azhar Umar's claim is utter rubbish?

This is the question posed by DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo in response to the prime minister dismissing the former police commando's claim of acting under orders as such.

"How does he know this? This pins him down to that question.

"If Sirul's claim isn't true, then what is? Najib (left) may have just check-mated himself with that answer," he said in a statement.

"Either he, as Prime Minister, knows what happened or he doesn't," he added.

Gobind demanded that Najib reveal what he knows if the latter has any knowledge about the murder.

"If he doesn't (know the truth), he must find out. He would until then, be in no position to say whether Sirul is telling the truth or not. So why has he as Prime Minister denied it publicly?" Gobind asked.

 

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.

Probe Sirul's revelation, urges DAP in filing report

A DAP lawmaker has filed a police report calling for an investigation into former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's allegation.
          
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Lim Lip Eng said he filed the report with the Dang Wangi police so that a probe would be initiated on the claim by Sirul that he and another ex-police commando Azilah Hadri had acted on orders.

Sirul and Azilah have been convicted for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu and sentenced to death.

Lim, who is the Segambut MP, also took a swipe at Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar for stating that unless Sirul reveals all, an investigation would not be launched.

"I feel the IGP must start a new investigation. As the IGP, he cannot say that some people are using Sirul. That is an irresponsible statement.

"Why is the IGP making a decision even before an investigation has started. Just keep quiet and do the investigation," he said.

Asked on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak statement that Sirul's claim is "utter rubbish", Lim cited a Malay proverb, "Siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedas."

"Sirul has not mentioned (who was behind the order). So the government must investigate. Send a team there (Australia) and record a statement from Sirul," he said.

Lim's police report was based on a Sydney Morning Herald report, which quoted Malaysiakini's exclusive telephone interview with Sirul.

The Federal Court convicted Sirul and Azilah last month. However, Sirul was not present and it was revealed later that he had fled to Australia.

The former police commando is currently being held at an Immigration and Border Protection facility in Sydney.

Australian law dictates that those facing the death penalty cannot be sent back to their home countries but Malaysia intends to file for extradition.

Meanwhile, Lim Kit Siang accused the police, attorney-general and all the Federal Court judges of being guilty of serious negligence with regard to the Altantuya murder case.

The DAP veteran said they had ignored the "elephant in the room" that the Mongolian national would not have been killed without a "mastermind with a motive" ordering it.

"I believe the entire Malaysian population can share Sirul's sense of injustice if he has to pay for the murder of Altantuya, but the mastermind who ordered the killing is able to get away scot-free," he added in a statement.

 

PSM demands immediate release of Sec-Gen

The party feels that this is selective persecution by the police who solely decide what is seditious or otherwise.

fmt

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has demanded the immediate release of its Secretary-General S Arutchelvan and the dropping of all sedition charges against him.

Fifteen policemen descended on Arutchelvan’s house in Kajang Thursday night and held him under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act reportedly for a statement he issued on February 10 following Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction on a sodomy charge. http://partisosialis.org/en/node/3215

The police also seized his computer, mobile phone and modem.

The PSM, in a statement, deplored the heavy handed action of the Dang Wangi Police Station where Arul was taken for the night. The police, according to PSM’s Jeyakumar, will apply to the Magistrate’s Court on Friday under section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for remand.

“A request to Arul to come to the police station would have been sufficient,” said Jeyakumar. “Surely the time of the 15 police officers could have been better utilised to combat crime!”

“Furthermore, the police decided to make this arrest during the Chinese New Year public holidays.”

There is no need at all to lock up Arul overnight, or to ask for one or more days of remand, he added. “PSM members are prepared to co-operate with police investigations.”

The police are clearly attempting to intimidate the public by using the Sedition Act of 1948 — an Act formulated by our colonial rulers to suppress the freedom of speech and opinion – stressed Jeyakumar. “The police are attempting to clamp down on any criticism of the Barisan Nasional administration.”

“We would like to remind the police and their BN masters that 2015 is quite different from 1948, and attempts to intimidate the public will backfire.”

According to the arresting officer, disclosed Jeyakumar, Arul was being arrested under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act which reads: Any person who prints, publishes – - – or reproduces any seditious publication shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.

In his February 10 statement, said Jeyakumar, Arul criticised the Federal court judgment, saying the courts were not independent and were politically-driven. “Soon after the IGP tweeted that Arul would be investigated for his ‘seditious’ statement!”

“Court judgments are usually open to comment by lawyers and legal academics.”

PSM feels that this was selective persecution by the police who solely decide what is seditious or otherwise.

Conspiracy against Anwar seen as confirmed

Blogger Shahbudin says Umno has trapped itself with its continuing vilification of the opposition leader.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Umno’s continuing vilification of Anwar Ibrahim makes it clear to even the most uneducated person that there is a political conspiracy against the jailed opposition leader, according to analyst Shahbudin Husin.

“Umno is caught in a trap of its own making,” he says in a blog entry criticising the party’s programme of explaining Anwar’s conviction to the public. Lawyer Shafee Abdullah, who served as prosecutor in the case, has been enlisted as the main speaker at events associated with the programme.

In the first place, Shahbudin says, the Attorney-General’s decision to appoint Shafee, a private lawyer, to take his place in the case already smacked of a political motive and bolstered the conspiracy theory already given credence by Saiful Bukhari’s meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak before he made the police report alleging that Anwar had sodomised him.

He points out that Umno tried for years to deny the conspiracy theory and has not achieved much success from that tremendous effort. Now, he says, it looks like it won’t be able to deny it anymore with its continued campaign against Anwar even as he lies in prison.

“Shafee’s current willingness to speak in public and to give details of the alleged sodomy has convinced the public that this was the real purpose of making him the prosecutor in the case,” he writes. “If it had been the Attorney-General himself who had led the prosecution, we would not expect him to continue making media statements and speaking at political forums about the case after it is done with.”

Shahbudin expects Shafee to continue giving sensational speeches full of obscene details in the planned Umno Youth road show that he is participating in.

“The purpose is to denigrate Anwar and isolate him from public support. Isn’t that politics?”

Shahbudin also notes that Information Minister Shabery Cheek has offered a time slot on RTM for a forum or debate on Anwar’s case, with Shafee as the potential star.

“Certainly,” he says, “the purpose is to spread the sensational stories further afield. And certainly it is with Umno’s political gain in view.

“However, now that Hanipa Maidin of the PAS Central Committee has answered the challenge to a debate, we will have to wait and see whether the offer of air time is still open.”

Present day Chinese are M’sians, not pendatang

CM says Sarawak is home for everybody of all races and divide and rule tactics will not be used.

FMT

KUCHING: Chinese in Sarawak must no longer be regarded as pendatang (immigrants) declared Chief Minister Adenan Satem in his Chinese New Year address,

“We cannot have divide and rule tactics… Sarawak is for everybody and Sarawak is big enough for everybody,” said Adenan.

He said the forefathers of the Sarawak Chinese community who came from China could be called immigrants but not the present generation, The Star Online reported.

“You call Sarawak your home, and indeed this is your home, just like for those from many other races.”

Adenan paid tribute to the Chinese community which he said had always been an important part of the state’s political and economic life.

“I would like to thank Chinese businesses for playing their role in building Sarawak.”

Adenan urged the various people of Sarawak to continue upholding the spirit of moderation and to interact among themselves.

“To the non-Chinese, please do visit Chinese New Year open houses in our joint effort to strengthen unity among all.”

He said Sarawak belonged to Sarawakians and that mutual respect and the value of human dignity must continue to be the basis of the relationship among the people in the state.

Is Najib’s statement on Sirul’s claim that he acted under orders exculpatory or incriminating?

By Lim Kit Siang Blog

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has made a most rash and imprudent outburst at the MCA Chinese New Year open house today, when he said that former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar’s claim that he acted under orders to murder Altantuya Shaariibuu was “utter rubbish” and “total rubbish”.

Was the Prime Minister’s outburst exculpatory or incriminating?

It would be exculpatory if he is asserting that Sirul was talking “utter” or “total rubbish” that he murdered the Altantuya in 2006 together with Chief Inspector Azila Hadri under orders as there were no such orders to the two former police commandos to murder Altantuya.

The question that immediately arises is how Najib knows that the two convicted police commandos had not received any such orders from their superior to kill Altantunya and destroy evidence by blowing up her body using C4 explosives?

He can say there was no such “order” from him, but how could he say that there were no such “order” from other people? How can he be so sure?

Since he is also implicated in the allegations flying around both inside the country and worldwide in the murder of Altantuya, isn’t the best way to resolve the riddle is to have a thorough, comprehensive and independent (even international) investigation into the Altantuya’s murder?

That Sirul and Azila had murdered Altantunya and blow up her body by using C4 explosive is virtually admitted by Sirul when he as good as made a confession from Australia, saying: “If I die today, I would not find peace. I did what I was told and this is what I get in return.”
So Najib’s outburst this morning cannot be exculpatory, in destroying beyond a shadow of doubt the theory that Sirul and Azila had killed Altantuya and destroy evidence by blowing up her body with C4 explosives “under order” – especially as this tallied with Sirul’s first police statement dated 9th November 2006.

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”.

Would Najib agree that it is a gross miscarriage of justice if Sirul and Azila are sent to the gallows while the mastermind of Altantuya’s murder who had the motive to kill her and destroy evidence by blowing up her body with C4 explosives is allowed to get away scot-free.

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?

I call on Najib to be in the forefront to institute a thorough, comprehensive, independent (even international) investigation into Altantuya’s murder, and to announce a reprieve of the death sentences for Sirul and Azila until the outcome of such investigations.

PM, DPM, Other BN Leaders Attend MCA Chinese New Year Open House

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the Chinese New Year 'open house' organised by MCA here today.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman also attended the open house, held at Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang.

Najib, Rosmah, Muhyiddin and Noorainee, all attired in red, were welcomed upon arrival by MCA leaders led by party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, to the accompaniment of a lion dance performance.




Najib, Rosmah, Muhyiddin and Noorainee, along with Liow and MIC President Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, tossed the 'yee sang' raw fish salad, a traditional festive dish.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein; Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam; Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and PPP senior vice-president Datuk Seri Maglin Dennis D'Cruz also attended the open house.

The other guests at the open house included Malaysians of various races as well as foreign tourists. They were entertained to song and dance performances as well as a display of martial arts.

Najib, in a live interview over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), said the Chinese New Year open house that gathered people of all the races reflected the unity of Malaysians.

"I believe that our unity is the basis for us Malaysians to together consolidate our future as a nation," he said.

Najib extended Chinese New Year greetings to all Malaysians, particularly to the Chinese community.

He expressed the hope that the Year of the Goat would bring more prosperity, success and well-being to all the people.

Approached by reporters later, Najib said he hoped that 2015 would be a fruitful year for the people and the country.

"2014 was a very challenging year for the country, (augmented) with a drop in the oil price. So, we hope we can have a good year in 2015," he said.

As the name suggests, the Chinese New Year celebration is the beginning of the new year in the Chinese lunar calendar.

Later, Najib, Rosmah, Muhyiddin and Noorainee attended the Chinese New Year open house hosted by Gerakan at Menara PGRM in Cheras.

Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, who was attired in red, welcomed them as they arrived at 11.15 am.

Najib had a look at the stalls where various types of food, such as satay and laksa, were offered to guests, and then joined several other VIPs to partake of some food.

Also present were Tengku Adnan, Hishammuddin, Palanivel, Dr Subramaniam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahib Omar and MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk A. Kohilan Pillay and former Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon were also present at the open house.

Najib and Muhyiddin also joined several people in tossing the 'yee sang'.

Guests were entertained to a performance of dances and songs as well as a lion dance.

-- BERNAMA

PAS sorting out visa for Sirul's mum

PAS is in the process of sorting out the visa application for Piah Samad so that she can visit her son, former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, in Australia.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, party information chief Mahfuz Omar said Piah’s international passport is ready and they are now looking into purchasing the flight ticket.

"I will inform you (the media) when the process is ready. It is almost finished," he added.

Besides this, Mahfuz (left) said, he too has contacted Sirul, who is currently being held at an Immigration and Border Protection Department facility in Sydney, several times via the phone.

He added that it was up to Sirul whether he wants to reveal who ordered him and another former police commando Azilah Hadri to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“I have contacted Sirul a couple of times. Sometimes I called and at times I would send him a text message. I only talked about his mother. He (Sirul) thanked PAS and me for helping him to inquire about his mother's welfare and also asking about his (Sirul's) own welfare.

Warrant of arrest

“I do not want to talk about his case as I do not want to be seen to be taking advantage of the situation. As far as I am concerned, it is up to Sirul whether he wants to reveal anything or not.

"It must come from his own heart, whether to reveal what truly transpired and who is behind his actions which resulted in him facing the death sentence,” Mahfuz said.

It was previously reported that PAS had intended to bring Piah to Australia to meet her son, who is being detained inSydney.

The last time Piah met her 43-year-old son was after Sirul, who is the fourth in the family of five children, was acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya of the murder.

Last Jan 13, Azilah and Sirul were convicted with Altantuya's murder and were sentenced to death after the Federal Court reversed the Court of Appeal's decision.

Sirul was already in Australia at the time and a warrant of arrest was issued following the Federal Court verdict. Malaysian police sought Interpol's help and Sirul's name was placed on the wanted list or 'Red Notice'.

Spill the beans

However, following the outlawing of capital punishment by Australia, the country does not permit any person to be extradited to his or her home country if that person has been sentenced to death there.

Sirul, in an exclusive telephone conversation with Malaysiakini, said he was prepared to spill the beans on the biggest question as to the motive of the Altantuya murder.

He maintained that he and Azilah had only acted under instructions.

 

Sirul's right to tell all, says Hisham

It is murder convict Sirul Azhar Umar's right if he wants to reveal all on Altantuya Shaariibuu's murder, Defence Minister and Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

 

"That's his right," Hishammuddin told reporters in a press conference today.

 

However, he refused to say anything more on the matter.

 

"I do not know what is he is going to say, so how can I say anything?" he said.

Sirul, who has been detained by the immigration authorities in Australia after fleeing Malaysia before the judgment on his case by delivered by the Federal Court, told Malaysiakini he is mulling a tell-all interview with the Australian media.

Hishamuddin also said that he would be unable to tell if Sirul's revelations would be good for the government until Sirul actually revealed what he was threatening to reveal.

Murder motive to be exposed?

On Jan 13, Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri, were convicted of Altantuya's murder and sentenced to death after the Federal Court reversed the Court of Appeal's decision.

Sirul was already in Australia at the time and a warrant of arrest was issued following the Federal Court verdict. Malaysian police sought Interpol's help and Sirul's name was placed on the wanted list or 'Red Notice'.

However, following the outlawing of capital punishment by Australia, that country does not permit any person to be extradited to his or her home country if that person has been sentenced to death there.

Sirul, in his exclusive telephone conversation with Malaysiakini, said he was prepared to spill the beans on the biggest question as to the motive for the Altantuya murder.


 

Hunt them down, lawyer demands

The police should re-open their investigations into the gruesome murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu following the recent revelations made by convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar.

Ramkarpal Singh, who is also a lawyer for the family of the slain Mongolian, said it is the duty of the police to re-open the investigations, especially in light of Sirul's expose.

The new probe should focus on who instructed the two police commandos to kill Altantuya, Ramkarpal said, given Sirul's revelation that he was under orders and the people with the motive to murder are free.

"These are no ordinary revelations that can be ignored. The people have the right to know who directed the assassination," he said in a statement.

Sirul and Azilah Hadri were sentenced to death by the Federal Court for killing Altantuya, despite the motive for the murder not having been established.

Ramkarpal (right), who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, described the murder as the most gruesome and highly publicised, and claimed it was a fact that Sirul did not even know Altantuya.

“Having been convicted by the Federal Court recently, both Sirul and Azilah seem to be at the centre of a much larger scenario, which forms the narrative of this murder,” he said.

“Although the Federal Court found the duo guilty, beyond reasonable doubt, for the murder of Altantuya, the matter does not come to an end as a result of the said conviction if evidence subsequently emerges implicating others, such as in this case.”

'Public interest warrants case be re-opened'

Ramkarpal noted that there was also a civil suit pending against Azilah, Sirul, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and the government as defendants, as such revelations by Sirul would certainly be relevant to the this matter.

The High Court in Shah Alam has fixed March 13 for the case management of this matter, following the conclusion of the criminal case last month after the matter remained in imbroglio after having been filed in 2007.

Ramkarpal said recently that Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had stated that the question of motive behind the murder was a non-issue, since the same court had not established it, and it was not for the police to investigate the matter.

“The IGP could not have been wrong (in this),” he said.

“I call upon the IGP to initiate fresh investigations into the matter forthwith in the public interests,” the lawyer reiterated.

Khalid told reporters today that the police would not re-open the investigation into the matter unless Sirul gives new information about the case.

Sirul's mother Piah Samad is also preparing to go to Australia to meet with her son, who is being detained at the Villawood Detention facility in Sydney.

 

IGP: No new Altantuya probe unless Sirul talks

 

+
The police do not intend to re-open investigations into the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder unless convicted former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar divulges new information regarding the case.

"We do not see any reason to conduct a new probe into the case because of instigation of certain parties.

"We will see first what he (Sirul, right) will reveal," Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said at a press conference today.

The police chief was referring to the Malaysiakini report that Sirul is considering disclosing more details on the grisly murder to the media in Australia, where he is currently being detained pending possible extradition to Malaysia.

'Self-seeking' parties

A few Australian television stations have already contacted Sirul who is currently being held by immigration authorities in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Khalid said it was it was "illogical" for Sirul to reveal new information about the case now when he had refused to disclose such information when the investigation was on-going before.

"Why does he want to talk about all this only now?

"When he did not say anything the last time, why does he want to bring up new things on the case only now," Khalid questioned.

Khalid also suspected "self-seeking parties" of trying to sway Sirul into stating erroneous facts about the case for their own gain.

"I am worried that certain self-seeking parties are trying to instigate him with misinformation as they know that he is in Australia and the government there will not send him back.

"I am worried this (revealing of information) is only for the importance of certain parties," he said.


 

Sirul: I did as told, and this is what I get

EXCLUSIVE Former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar is vexed for being handed the death sentence for following a directive.

"If I die today, I would not find peace. I did what I was told and this is what I get in return," he told Malaysiakini in a recent telephone conversation from Australia.

However, he did not state if this was an admission of guilt on his part.

Sirul, who was convicted together with another former police commando Chief Azilah Hadri for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, is also dissatisfied with the country's legal system.
                                                            
He felt that his former superior Deputy Superintendent Musa Safri should have been put on the witness stand by the prosecution. The latter was the former aide de camp of Najib Abdul Razak, who was then deputy prime minister and defence minister.

The Court of Appeal had in 2013 acquitted Azilah and Sirul as a result of a serious misdirection by the Shah Alam High Court. And this included the non-calling of Musa by the trial judge, Justice Mohd Zaki Yasin.

However, Sirul lamented that the Federal Court, which last month upheld the prosecution's appeal, had disregarded this.

"The court also ignored the questionable DNA evidence on the bloodstain found on a shoe placed in my car, as well as my own DNA sample.

"The court ignored this despite the strong submissions made by my lawyers," he added.

The prosecution team, led by deputy solicitor-general I Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, had argued that Musa was not a key witness in the trial and hence there was no need to call him.

However, Sirul's lawyers, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin and Hasnal Rezua Merican, submitted that the non-calling of Musa constituted a mistrial.

On the DNA evidence, the chemist had testified that there was a possibility the DNA from the bloodstain could be from Altantuya despite the doubts cast.

Motive not established

Sirul also reiterated his previous remark during the trial that he was made a "scapegoat" in the grisly murder, where Altantuya was shot in the head and her remains blown up with military-grade explosives.

He was also distressed by political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda's claim in an interview last month that "rogue policemen" were responsible for Altantuya's death in 2006.

Razak Baginda (left), a close associate of Najib, was charged with abetting in the murder but was later freed without his defence being called.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Sirul claiming that he acted under orders and had no prior knowledge of both Altantuya and Razak Baginda.

He is also considering, after being approached by several Australian media, accepting interviews to reveal all on the murder.

Since the case was first heard in 2007 by the High Court sitting in Shah Alam, and up to the decision by the Federal Court on Feb 10, the murder motive was never established.

Sirul was absent when the Federal Court revealed its verdict, and news later emerged that he was in Australia.

The 43-year-old father of two is currently being held at the Immigration and Border Protection Department's facility in Sydney.

According to Sirul, he is well treated by the Australian authorities and he is staying alone in a room, with four beds, at the detention camp.

He said he is allowed to use his mobile phone and has access to the Internet.

Asked what prompted him to flee to Australia, Sirul said he had a premonition that he would be convicted.