Najib reiterates innocence in Altantuya’s murder
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has reiterated his innocence and non-involvement in the murder of the Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The statement via his lawyers at Shafee & Co came in response to Al-Jazeera’s interview with Sirul Azhar Umar, who is one of two former police officers convicted for the murder.
“We wish to reiterate that our client Najib has been conclusively exonerated of any involvement in this case.
“This exoneration has been affirmed by relevant authorities, including investigations restarted post-GE14 (2018) and a reaffirmation by the High Court, Court of Appeal, and ultimately by way of a substantive appeal in the Federal Court that was comprehensively heard on its merits,” the law firm said.
In these court proceedings, Najib’s lawyers said neither the prosecution nor the defence had implicated Najib in the affair, except when Azilah Hadri - Sirul’s superior who was convicted alongside him - made a statutory declaration claiming Najib had ordered Altantuya’s death.
READ MORE: Najib responds to 'cover-up' posers on Altantuya murder
The Federal Court had refused to review Azilah’s conviction based on the “new evidence”. The panel held that Azilah himself had withheld the information from the legal process, so there is no breach of natural justice that would justify a review.
Sirul Azhar Umar
In the interview that was aired yesterday, Sirul was still tight-lipped about the alleged mastermind of the murder, other than to say Azilah had told him that they were carrying out a “special operation” for Najib.
He also told Al-Jazeera’s ‘101 East’ programme there are still ongoing efforts to influence him in order to protect Najib.
In the interview that was aired yesterday, Sirul was still tight-lipped about the alleged mastermind of the murder, other than to say Azilah had told him that they were carrying out a “special operation” for Najib.
He also told Al-Jazeera’s ‘101 East’ programme there are still ongoing efforts to influence him in order to protect Najib.
‘Engage with Australian counterparts’
However, Najib’s lawyers said their client “categorically denies” seeking to influence or silence Sirul.
“In fact, he urged Sirul to be brave and to disclose any information he may have regarding the purported mastermind, in the interest of uncovering the truth, transparency and justice,” they said.
They concurred with Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain that Sirul already had his chance to defend himself in accordance with the law, and his claims in the recent interview were never raised in court.
“In this regard, our client states that given that Sirul was faced with the death penalty throughout his trials, he should have raised his recent allegations to the courts if the same had merit, but yet had not done so,” they said.
They added that the government should engage with their Australian counterparts to extradite Sirul and facilitate further investigation into his claims, and perhaps assure the Australian government that the death penalty will not be carried out against him.
Meanwhile, Shafee & Co also clarified that Sirul and Azilah were never the dedicated bodyguards assigned to Najib but belonged to a pool of bodyguards rotated among top cabinet leaders.
“In fact, both were arrested for the first time after they arrived at the airport from the United Kingdom after they had performed their duties to protect the previous prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” they said.
However, Najib’s lawyers said their client “categorically denies” seeking to influence or silence Sirul.
“In fact, he urged Sirul to be brave and to disclose any information he may have regarding the purported mastermind, in the interest of uncovering the truth, transparency and justice,” they said.
They concurred with Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain that Sirul already had his chance to defend himself in accordance with the law, and his claims in the recent interview were never raised in court.
“In this regard, our client states that given that Sirul was faced with the death penalty throughout his trials, he should have raised his recent allegations to the courts if the same had merit, but yet had not done so,” they said.
They added that the government should engage with their Australian counterparts to extradite Sirul and facilitate further investigation into his claims, and perhaps assure the Australian government that the death penalty will not be carried out against him.
Meanwhile, Shafee & Co also clarified that Sirul and Azilah were never the dedicated bodyguards assigned to Najib but belonged to a pool of bodyguards rotated among top cabinet leaders.
“In fact, both were arrested for the first time after they arrived at the airport from the United Kingdom after they had performed their duties to protect the previous prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” they said.
Of course , of course , "He never met the Chinese woman" as he denied when
ReplyDeletethe scandal first broke.