Sirul Azhar Umar says he received RM1mil for his silence on the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder during his detention in Australia.
Sirul claimed:
- A prominent politically-linked lawyer and a top Cabinet leader involved in payment
- Made a scapegoat and pawn in a political game
- Not responsible for Altantuya’s murder
- Order to kill Altantuya made by a top politician
- Unsafe to return to Malaysia
He said a prominent politically-linked lawyer and a top Cabinet leader were involved in the payment.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera’s 101 East programme aired on Friday (Nov 24) morning, Sirul said he was made a scapegoat and pawn in a political game.
He further claimed he was not responsible for Altantuya’s murder despite being convicted for the crime.
“For many years people in my country have been waiting to know who gave the order to kill Altantuya, but I cannot reveal that,” he said.
He claimed, however, the order to kill Altantuya was made by a top politician.
“I feel in danger to return (to Malaysia) as I feel it’s unsafe and want to build a life with my child here in Australia.
“I love Australia and urge the community here to give me a second chance and accept us,” he added.
He also apologised to Altantuya’s family and asked for their forgiveness.
Halfway through the interview, Sirul 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.
“I’m thankful to God and thankful to the government of Australia for releasing me.
“I really, really…I didn’t expect it. Now I’m here, I hope the Australian community accepts me for who I am, I’m not a bad person,” he told Aljazeera English journalist Mary Ann Jolley.
Speaking on the murder, Sirul Azhar said he was following the orders of former chief inspector Azilah Hadri, who had told him of a ‘special operation’.
“Azilah told me, this work is a special operation, for the Deputy Prime Minister of that time, Mr Najib.
“I asked him if it was true, and he responded that it was true, and to follow him. I just obeyed because he is my superior,” Sirul Azhar said.
He said Azilah briefed him on the situation, which was a girl ‘disturbing’ former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said he did not know anything about Razak Baginda, other than that he was a multi-millionaire, and had good relations with Najib.
“I joined the police when I was 19 years old, teaching me tough discipline about obedience to superior, which means yes, sir, yes, sir, yes, sir, and never say no,” he said.
Sirul Azhar expressed unfairness in his situation.
He said Razak Baginda, being affluent, could afford substantial payments and evade consequences, while people like himself, unable to afford such means, were left to languish in prison.
“Some people call it a kangaroo court. If you have more money, you pay, you (get) released.
“But I had no money at that time. How can I pay?” Sirul Azhar added in frustration.
The former police officer also refused to acknowledge any evidence related to the case, including the presence of slippers in his car or the jewellery found in his jacket.
Sirul alleged that the evidence was planted to falsely incriminate him of the murder.
On being paid for his silence, he said that despite being in relative safety in a faraway country, there were still attempts to “control” him.
“Until now, I have somebody [who] controls me. ‘Umar, you don’t talk. You be silent.’
“This is Australia. Anybody can talk, isn’t it? So, I take [the] position, I talk the true thing because I want to expose and then tell the truth now. I want to build a new life in Australia.
“I don’t want to talk lies here,” he said.
Asked whom he was meant to protect with his silence, he replied, “Honestly, I’m going tell you specifically to protect the former (deputy) prime minister at that time, Mr Najib (Abdul Razak).
“So that’s it. My answer.”
For the record, Najib has repeatedly denied involvement in Altantuya’s murder, claiming it was part of a conspiracy to depose him.
101 East reported that the Australian government has not imposed any curfew requirements or tracking devices on Sirul.