Sirul had chance to defend himself: IGP
Published on: Sunday, November 26, 2023
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said Sirul Azhar (right) had been given the opportunity to defend himself in line with Malaysian laws and constitution.
Kuala Lumpur: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) regards the statement by former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar in an interview with an international media regarding his conviction in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2009 as unfounded and could create more speculation.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said Sirul Azhar had been given the opportunity to defend himself in line with Malaysian laws and constitution.
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“However, his (Sirul) claims were never submitted to any court that heard his case, from the High Court to the Federal Court.
“If he is convinced and feels the need for justice, that there is new evidence, Sirul Azhar or through his lawyer, can make a police report so that the authorities can take the necessary action,” he said.
Jailed former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak urged the current Malaysian government to collaborate with Australian authorities to facilitate the extradition of Sirul.
He conveyed this through his legal team, Shafee & Co, underscoring the significance of conducting a thorough investigation into Sirul’s assertions during an interview, aired on Al Jazeera’s 101 East program by Mary Ann Jolley, concerning the 2006 murder of Altantuya Shaaribuu
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“To support this, our client suggests that the Malaysian Government might offer assurances against the imposition of the death penalty to facilitate the broader objective of truth and justice.
“While our client retains all legal rights and remedies in this matter against Sirul, AlJazeera and its reporter Mary Ann Jolley, he (Najib) remains steadfast in his denial of any involvement in the tragic demise of Altantuya through such a heinous crime.”
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In the interview, Sirul, who was convicted of the murder said he was made a scapegoat and that it was dangerous for him to return to Malaysia. He also apologised to Altantuya’s family and requested forgiveness.
Halfway through the interview, Sirul Azhar had an emotional breakdown.
“I’m a circumstantial victim. I’m a scapegoat, that’s why I’m telling the truth. They’re using me as a scapegoat.”
Sirul claimed he was not responsible for Altantuya’s murder despite being found guilty by the Malaysian court.
He alleged that he was trapped in a political game, admitting to receiving RM1 million while in Australia from an undisclosed source, purportedly to “silence him’.
Meanwhile, lawyer Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican has denied all claims made by his former client, Sirul, one where he allegedly instructed the former policeman to make a video exonerating a former PM of any involvement in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu. Hasnal also rejected Sirul’s claim that his Malaysian lawyer had paid him RM1 million to do so.
“There is absolutely no truth to all the allegations he has made. I visited Sirul six to seven times during his incarceration in Australia as his lawyer. I can’t recall but the last time I met him may have been in 2017 or 2018.
“It is too early to take any steps as the allegations were made and circulated in Australia,” Hasnal was quoted as saying.
Hasnal is a also a member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.
Sirul was released from the Australia’s detention centre last week after spending almost a decade inside.
His release, alongside 91 others, was seen by human rights lawyers as a landmark ruling that ended a two-decade immigration law that allowed the Australian authorities to detain foreign citizens indefinitely who cannot be deported back.
The Australian government has a policy against deporting anyone to a country where they would face the death penalty.
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