Anti-terrorism bill ready for Parliament

New law to be tabled at the next sitting in March, says Wan Junaidi.

FMT

KUCHING: A new law on prevention of terrorism will be ready for tabling in Parliament next month, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the law is crucial to curb the influence of terrorists because existing provisions mostly deals with matters after the fact.

The new Prevention of Terrorism Bill was drafted after Parliament debated and approved a government White Paper on combating the threat of Islamic State, in November.

Fears have been expressed that the new law would incorporate measures for detention without trial, similar to those provided under the now-repealed Internal Security Act, which was frequently criticised for being used against political dissidents under the cover of national security.

Wan Junaidi said preventative laws were needed “so that we can take action even before acts are committed”. He said terrorist groups that misused Islam as a political tool were a threat to all Malaysians, not just Muslims.

“They are influencing the youth, our children. They use multiple approaches. They go to universities, to schools. This is a big challenge for the Government,” Junaidi was quoted as saying on Thursday after a 14-year-old girl was detained on suspicion of trying to join Islamic State fighters in the Middle East.

The girl, from Muar, was arrested under the new security offences law on Tuesday before she could board a Cairo-bound flight.

Ex-IGP, activist deny Anwar trial conspiracy claim

Businessman's account of meeting 'a complete lie' says anti-crime activist Sanjeevan

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Anti-crime activist R Sri Sanjeevan has denied being part of an alleged attempt to subvert the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy case, while the former Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan, denied trying to find out about any conspiracy to convict opposition leader Anwar who is now serving a five-year jail sentence.

In a statement today, Sanjeevan described the allegations made by a businessman that he had asked Jude Pereira who is the investigating officer of the case to subvert the trial as “a complete lie”.

Sanjeevan acknowledged that he had met Pereira in April 2013, just before the general election. The meeting was arranged by Musa, then patron of the MyWatch group which Sanjeevan headed.

“I wish to state that it is a complete lie to suggest that there was an attempt to subvert the trial,” he said, according to Malaysian Insider.

“The meeting was to confirm from Jude himself whether there was a conspiracy in Anwar’s case, however, unfortunately since Jude was not willing to go on record, it ended there. I have never met nor contacted Jude since then,” he said.

The article claimed that Sanjeevan had said that he was close to Anwar Ibrahim, but Sanjeevan said Anwar had nothing to do with the meeting, adding that it was his own effort to find out the truth about the sodomy case.

“There was no attempt to subvert the trial as this meeting happened after Anwar was acquitted in January 2012 and the trial was over. I should have known better than to trust these two individuals i.e., Musa Hassan and Jude Pereira,” he was quoted as saying.

Musa was quoted by The Star as saying that the businessman’s article at Malaysia Today was wrong. He said he had met Jude Pereira but “I never asked him (Jude) if there was a conspiracy in Anwar’s case”, he was quoted as saying.

Musa said Pereira had told him later that he had met Sanjeevan and was asked to issue a statement about there being a conspiracy against Anwar, and that he had commended Pereira “when he told me that he refused to issue the press release,” The Star reported.

According to the article in Malaysia Today which was written by Raggie Jessy, Pereira related the incident where he met Musa who asked whether there was any conspiracy in the investigation against Anwar. He replied that the statements from the witnesses showed distinctly that there was not a shred of conspiracy.

Jessy’s article also mentioned that Pereira said that Sanjeevan had asked him, at a meeting in Petaling Jaya, whether he would make a press statement to say that there was a conspiracy in the investigations against Anwar and mentioned that he would be taken care of, should the opposition win the election. However, Pereira said he refused to do so as his investigations showed no conspiracy or government interference, according to the article.

Sirul Azhar the ticking time bomb

Will convicted Altantuya killer blow up Najib? Wait for the Ides of March, says Ariff Sabri

FMT

Convicted killer Sirul Azhar’s sojourn in Australia, and a promised “tell-all” interview with the Malaysian press on Monday, has got tongues wagging about the kind of support he has obtained, and what he may say.

Does he have anything explosive to reveal? Will the former police commando blow up? Will Najib Razak, who has been indirectly linked to the woman, survive the Ides of March?

Questions have been popping up ever since it was revealed that Sirul had quietly left the country in the months before a Federal Court decision on his conviction and death sentence for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2008.

Fresh demands have been made for the Altantuya case to be re-opened, after Sirul told Malaysiakini last week that he had acted under orders when, with chief inspector Azilah Hadri, he carried out the killing of Altantuya, aged 28, by shooting her in the head and blowing up her body with plastic explosives.

Najib has pooh-poohed Sirul’s insistence that he was merely acting under orders (an aide to Najib was named in his original cautioned police statement but not at the trial) and that the real killer had not been punished. “Utter rubbish,” the prime minister had said.

Now the MP for Raub, Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, has asked in a speculative article on his blog whether Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s warning about the Ides of March would become a reality.

Ariff questioned why Najib had reacted so pointedly to Sirul’s remarks, as the Attorney-General had previously stated, before Sirul and Azilah were put on trial, that no others were involved.

“Let’s wait for March,” Ariff said. “Let’s see if Dr Mahathir’s warning comes about. Let’s see if Najib can survive after March.”

The “Ides of March”, a phrase from Shakespeare, refers to warning given by soothsayers to Julius Ceasar that senators led by Brutus were conspiring to assassinate him.

In a separate article, lawyer Haris Ibrahim speculates that Dr Mahathir may have helped Sirul to disappear to Australia, and could be the unseen hand behind Sirul’s willingness to reveal more about the murder.

Ariff makes no direct link to Mahathir as Haris does.

However, Ariff also speculates that Sirul may have been influenced by Australians to now speak up, as no Malaysians have access to him at the immigration detention centre where he is being held while awaiting the Australian government’s decision whether to extradite him as requested by Malaysia.

Dr Mahathir and his supporters have led a campaign against Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor, especially lately with a barrage of criticism directed towards the government-owned investment company 1Malaysia Development Bhd, where Najib is an adviser.

Ariff reasons that Sirul’s reluctance to speak up about the order received from a high place during his trial may have been out of fear of “custodial death”, as speculated by Razak Baginda, a former policy analyst and associate of Najib, who was a co-accused but was acquitted without his defence being called.

“And Razak is an honourable man,” Ariff sarcastically points out, in the manner that Julius Ceasar’s friend Mark Antony referred to Brutus.

The Raub MP also speculates that Sirul may have met important people before he left for Australia and spoken about the events of the time.

For his protection, he may have prepared written depositions, attested to by people of impeccable integrity and credentials and Ariff asks if these will surface in March.

He reasons that someone under the threat of death would want to save his soul, and Sirul deserves to be given a chance.

Sirul cannot continue to equivocate about the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu but must show genuine remorse for the killing under orders if he wants Malaysians and the world to be equally outraged at his betrayal by the murder “mastermind”

By Lim Kit Siang Blog

The latest from former police commando Sirul Azhar, one of the two convicted murderers of the Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu who is in Australia challenging the bid of the Malaysian government to extradite him to return to the death row in Malaysia, is that he had never admitted to the murder of Altantuya.

Sirul has been maintaining in his telephone conversations with Malaysiakini that he had acted under orders and was being made a scapegoat.
He told Malaysiakini on Chinese New Year on Wednesday, 19th February – the day the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, blurted “utter rubbish”, “total rubbish” to Sirul’s claim of having acted “under orders”:

“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.”

Sirul should come clean and admit to the heinous murder of Altantunya under orders.

Sirul cannot continue to equivocate about the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu but must show genuine remorse for the killing under orders if he wants Malaysians and the world to be equally outraged at his betrayal by the murder “mastermind”

It is true that Sirul had never admitted to killing the Mongolian during the prolonged nine-year trial and appeals on the murder of Shaariibuu from 2006 – 2015, but he was very specific in admitting to the killing of Altantuya by providing explicit and graphic details of the gruesome murder of Altantunya together with another former police commando Azila Hadri and blowing by her body by military C4 explosives in Sirul’s first statement to the police on November 9, 2006.

On Feb. 3, 2009 a tearful Sirul asked the Kuala Lumpur High Court not to sentence him to death for Altantuya’s murder, saying he was like “a black sheep that has to be sacrificed” to protect unnamed people who have never been brought to court or faced questioning.

Sirul said: “I have no reason to cause hurt, what’s more to take the life of the victim in such a cruel manner. I appeal to the court, which has the powers to determine if I live or die, not to sentence me so as to fulfil others’ plans for me.”

Sirul has the support of decent human beings, whether in Malaysia, Australia and anywhere in the world, in feeling outraged that as a pawn in the killing of Altantuya, he had to pay the supreme penalty of “death penalty” while the murder mastermind could get off scot-free.

But Sirul cannot be equivocal, trying to have the best of both worlds, claiming that he had never admitted to the murder of Altantuya and yet want the world to sympathise with his outrage that he was being punished for loyally carrying out orders while the the mastermind who issued the order gets away scotsfree.

Sirul should stop equivocating. The murder trial is fully over with the Federal Court decision on January 13, 2015 finding Sirul and Azila guilty of the murder of Altantuya and sentenced them to death.

Sirul must confront the facts: Was Altantunya murdered in Mukim Bukit Raja, Klang between 10 pm on Oct. 19, 2006 and 1 am on Oct. 20, 2006; was she murdered by him and Azila, both of whom used military explosives to blow up her body to destroy the evidence; and were they acting “orders” when murdering Altantunya?

If Sirul claims that he is innocent of the murder of Altantunya, then he should not be claiming justice on the ground that he had murdered under “orders”, but that he had been wrongly convicted of Altantunya’s murder when he is totally innocent.

Sirul should think through his statements and actions so not to be caught in a web of his own making.

Schoolgirl who planned to join Isis wanted to further religious studies – Bernama

A schoolgirl who was detained by the police for allegedly wanting to join the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) militant group in Syria had told her family she wanted to further her studies at a religious school.

This was according to the 14-year-old's uncle and a schoolmate.

The 52-year-old uncle reeled in shocked when informed the teenager was nabbed on Tuesday at the KL International Airport on suspicion of wanting to join the militant group in Syria.

"I didn't know my niece was detained until you (reporters) told me... her relations with her family are good and there are no problems... and she is even close to her friends at school.

"She is the eldest of three children and their mother died a few years ago. Recently, she wanted to study at a religious school," he told reporters when met at his house in a village in Muar, Johor, today.

One of the suspect's friends said the girl had told him that she wanted to learn more about religion by furthering her studies at a religious school.

"We were shocked that she wanted to join the Isis...she is friendly and quite smart in her studies," said the 16-year-old schoolboy.

On February 17, a team from the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit in Kuala Lumpur detained the schoolgirl at the airport on suspicion she was planning to join Isis in Syria.

According to the police, the girl was influenced by extremist ideology after interacting with two people on Facebook, before deciding to leave the country for Egypt to marry her boyfriend and later join the Isis militant group in Syria.

The girl is being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

The teenage suspect was a student at a religious school in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Inspector-heneral of police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar recently reiterated his call to parents to monitor the movements of their children to thwart extreme beliefs from influencing them.

The 'feet of clay' of decision-makers exposed

MP SPEAKS Sirul Azhar Umar is showing to the whole world the “feet of clay” of our inspector-general of police, the attorney-general, the judiciary and our prime minister in their mishandling of the 2006 Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.

In his first telephone interview with Malaysiakini on Tuesday, Feb 17, Sirul said: "I was under orders. The important people with motive are still free.

"It is not like I do not love the police (force) or the country, but I acted under orders."

But this is exactly what Sirul has done, for in one swoop he exposed the “feet of clay” of the pillars of our country, Inspector-General of  Police Khalid Abdu Bakar, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, the judiciary and Prime Minister Najiob Abdul Razak.

Many Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including the DAP MP for Bukit Gelugor Ramkarpal Singh, who is also lawyer for the family of the murdered Mongolian woman, have called on IGP Khalid to initiate fresh investigations into the Altantuya’s murder after Sirul claimed that he was ordered to kill her.

However, Khalid is obstinate that  the police will not re-investigate Altantuya’s murder, even though new allegations have surfaced, on the ground that Sirul had not divulged information that merits renewed scrutiny into the case.

Khalid had been heading the federal police force since May 2013, and was Deputy IGP from April 2011.

Is Khalid saying, ‘I never knew’?

Is Khalid seriously suggesting that he had never known that Sirul’s first police statement, on Nov 19, 2006,  after his arrest for the murder of Altantuya, was to confess that he was acting under orders and was offered money to kill Altantuya and destroy all evidence by blowing up her body with military explosives?

If Khalid really did not know about the existence of Sirul’s police statement of Nov 19, 2006, it raises a serious question about his fitness to continue as  the No 1 Policeman in the country.

In the circumstances, what Sirul said in Australia is merely a re-statement of what he told the police in November 2006, not only that he and  Azilah Hadri had murdered Altantuya, but that they were acting under orders and had been offered money for the killing.

So, why didn’t the police act on Sirul’s statement to the police in November 2006?

With Sirul reaffirming what he had then told the police, isn’t this sufficient evidence for the police to re-open investigations as to the mastermind and the motive for the murder of the Mongolian translator?

While the Federal Court’s conviction of Sirul and Azilah is not disputed, why had the Attorney-General’s Chambers and Federal Court judges failed to raise the question that both Sirul and Azilah had no motive to murder Altantuya, and that the police should continue investigations to bring to book the “mastermind” who had the motive to order Sirul and Azilah to murder Altantuya?

Prime Minister Najib had made the same mistake committed by his one-time confidante, Abdul Razak Baginda, who was acquitted of abetting in the murder of Altantuya, when Razak blabbered at the end of last month about the motive of Altantuya’s killing, saying: “Only the two policemen know. Rogue police do kill people, like in so many remand cases.”

Was Sirul a “rogue policeman” on his own accord or was Sirul a “rogue policemen” under orders?

I am surprised that the IGP, who is supposed to defend the image and integrity of the 130,000-strong police force, was so meek and ineffectual when his men and women in blue were maligned by Razak Baginda’s aspersions.

This is because all Malaysians, as well as the entire police force, had expected a more forceful response from Khalid to Razak’s insinuation that all cases of custodial deaths were due to “rogue policemen”.

The outburst by Najib at the MCA Chinese New Year open house yesterday. that it was “utter rubbish” and “total rubbish” for Sirul to claim that he had acted under orders to murder Altantunya, was really very rash and imprudent, as his cry can be seen as self-incriminating as well.

Najib’s outbursts are still ricocheting throughout  the country, for everyone is asking as to how Najib could know that Sirul’s claim was “utter rubbish” and “total rubbish”!

Is Najib prepared to explain what he meant by his outbursts?

It is a very painful and shameful affair for Malaysians to see the pillars of our country, IGP Khalid, AG Gani, the judiciary and the prime pinister exposing their feet of clay to the world as a result of Sirul’s statement in Australia.

When will this chapter of shame for Malaysia end?

---

LIM KIT SIANG is DAP Parliamentary Leader and the party’s MP for Gelang Patah.

 

Pereira told to allege conspiracy in Anwar’s case?

A report has surfaced on how Jude Pereira, the investigating officer in the Sodomy II case, had been asked to make a public statement alleging a conspiracy against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Those mentioned to be involved were MyWatch chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan and former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, who once served as the crime watchdog’s patron.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Musa confirmed that he had met Pereira just before the last general election in 2013 at the former police chief’s house in Petaling Jaya.

The former police chief said he was later informed that the deputy superintendent (DSP) had been asked to make a press statement in Anwar's favour.

However, he denied asking the DSP if there was a conspiracy in the opposition leader's case as alleged in the article published by Malaysia Today blog, which quoted Pereira.

"We talked about old times and regarding how Pereira wanted to be a practicing lawyer. I also told him that Sanjeevan wanted to meet him.

"Pereira later told me that he met Sanjeevan and the latter asked him to issue a press release about there being a conspiracy against Anwar," he added.

Musa said when Pereira told him that he refused to do so, he had commended the police officer for making a stand.

The former IGP also revealed that he parted ways with Sanjeevan because the latter was too involved in politics.

"I told him to quit politics and focus on the NGO. He didn't do it, so I left (MyWatch)," he said.

Responding to a question, Musa confirmed that Sanjeevan was close to Anwar. Contacted later, Sanjeevan declined to comment on the matter.

Last Tuesday, Anwar was convicted of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan and sentenced to five years' jail.

In the Malaysia Today article, Pereira's alleged handwritten account on his meeting with Sanjeevan stated that he was promised to be “taken care of” should Pakatan Rakyat win the election and that he also spoke to Anwar on the phone.

The full version reads:

“I met Sanjeevan at the coffee house within the lobby of PJ Hilton. He was sitting at a table and looked preoccupied with some documents. As I got acquainted with him, he told me that he was assisting DSAI (Anwar) in the coming general election, and that it was going to be a sure win for PKR.

“He informed me that DSAI was campaigning in Ipoh at the moment. Sanjeevan was very direct. He asked me whether I would make a press statement to say that there was conspiracy in my investigations against DSAI. He told me that I would be taken care of should PKR win.”

“I told Sanjeevan that I could not make such a statement, as my investigations showed no conspiracy. Then he asked me whether I can just say that there was government interference during investigations, to which I responded in the negative too.

“I then suggested that if they wanted me to help out in any way, at best I could say that I respected the High Court’s decision to acquit DSAI and wished him well. Sanjeevan then proceeded to call DSAI with his hand phone and informed DSAI that I was there with him. He then gave the phone to me, requesting that I talk to DSAI.

“I just wished DSAI well for the elections and told him that I was not able to say what Sanjeevan had wanted me to say, but that I would just mention that I respected the Courts decision in his (DSAI’s) case. DSAI replied that it was alright and good enough for me to say just that.”

“Sanjeevan than suggested that he would write down something mild for me to say to the press in support of DSAI, and that he would call the press in the morning should I agree. He then asked me to go to a new hotel in KL Central and meet a person who would show me what he had written on my behalf, which I was to give to the press the next morning.

“Sanjeevan also told me that I would be well protected in the hotel and that I can stay at the hotel for the night, all on the house. Just out of curiosity I decided to go and see how far it is going to go.

“I reached the new hotel at KL Central at about 8 pm. At the lobby, I met a bearded Indian Muslim man and another person sitting at a table. I introduced myself and said that I was with Sanjeevan earlier, and that I was to see them. They told me that they were assisting DSAI in the elections.

“The bearded man had already drafted a letter and asked me to read it, and that if I had agreed to it, they would call the press in the morning. I was completely shocked after reading a passage of about 100 words, which said that I was the Investigation Officer and that DSAI was innocent and was charged unreasonably, with evidence fabricated against him.

“The passage made me look like a fool and would have thrown my integrity down the drain after all my hard work. I refused to subscribe to their request and just walked away from the hotel.

“I drove back to my house in Ipoh the very same night, regretting that I had ever met Sanjeevan and his friends, who intended to exploit me for their needs. Later on that same day, TS Musa texted me and asked me how my meeting went.

“When I told him what had happened, he texted me in reply saying that I did the right thing in safeguarding my integrity.”

Mahfuz raps IGP for discounting Sirul's claim

PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar sarcastically said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar has to go to the doctor, since he is having a “fever”.

Mahfuz said this when asked to comment on the IGP's response to allegations made by ex-commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who has been convicted of the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“I think the IGP is having a fever. I ask that he goes to the doctor.

“He cannot give such a response when Sirul has made such an allegation. There was a trial. Don’t tell me Khalid didn’t follow the trial,” Mahfuz told a press conference at the PAS headquarters today.

Khalid (left) said on Wednesday that the police do not plan to re-open investigation into the murder unless Sirul divulges new information about the case.

However, Mahfuz (left) added that Khalid’s statement showed he was only fit to be a lance corporal, not the inspector-general of police.

“It is just unfortunate that an inspector-general of police issues such statements. I think he’s only fit to be a lance corporal,” he said.

Mahfuz also denied that he was taking advantage of the Altantuya murder case and pointed out that it was Sirul who had contacted him first, as he was about to face the gallows.

The PAS leader added that Sirul would reveal to the public on the murder case as it involves lives.

“For me, as he faces death, let him die in a responsible manner and let him tell what exactly happened,” Mahfuz added.

He also said that he would be chairing a press conference with Sirul, via an online telephone call from Australia, for 15 minutes.

The press conference will commence at 11.30am on Monday, at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Confirm 'hearsay' call

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, meanwhile, questioned why the IGP was quick to say the police report he (Lim) lodged yesterday was based on 'hearsay'.

“What exactly is the IGP’s motive in trying to disregard my report?” he asked in a statement today.

Lim and his colleague Ramkarpal Singh had yesterday lodged a report urging the police to investigate the claim by former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar that he had only acted on orders and the people with the motive to kill Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu were still free.

Sirul had made the claim during an exclusive telephone interview with Malaysiakini. Last month, the Federal Court sentenced Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri to death for Altantuya's murder.

Lim urged the top cop to pen a letter to the Australian authorities to confirm whether Sirul had been interviewed or otherwise.

“This is the best way to explain the so-called hearsay. Check with those who are involved in the interview."

Khalid yesterday said that police required 'sufficient grounds' to proceed with an investigation as Lim's report was based on 'hearsay' reported in the media.

 

'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.

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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