13-11-2023 (SYDNEY) A Malaysian policeman convicted of the murder of a Mongolian woman has been released from detention in Australia after nearly nine years, according to a government source familiar with the matter. Sirul Azhar Umar, along with another police officer named Azilah Hadri, was sentenced to death in Malaysia for the murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, an interpreter tied to a former associate of ex-prime minister Najib Razak.
Sirul’s journey to freedom began when he was arrested on an Interpol notice and subsequently held in an Australian immigration detention centre since January 2015, having fled Malaysia just before the verdict was announced. However, his release coincides with a recent groundbreaking ruling by Australia’s High Court, which declared indefinite immigration detention unlawful, resulting in the release of numerous asylum seekers.
According to Australian media reports on Sunday, Sirul, who could not be contacted for comment, is now residing in Canberra with his son. The Australian immigration authorities refrained from making any statements on the matter.
Malaysia’s top police official, Razarudin Husain, confirmed Sirul’s release from Australian detention and stated that the police would consult with the Attorney-General and the courts to explore the possibility of seeking extradition.
In April, Malaysia implemented legal reforms to abolish the mandatory death penalty, allowing individuals facing this punishment to request a review of their sentencing. However, under Australian law, individuals cannot be deported if they face the death penalty. Consequently, Azilah, Sirul’s co-accused, remains on death row in Malaysia.
The murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu has been embroiled in a political scandal for years. Court records indicate that she was killed in a forest on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital in 2006, yet the question of who ordered the killing remains unanswered.
At the time of the murder, Sirul was serving as a member of Najib’s personal security detail. Various civil society groups have alleged that her murder was connected to her role as an interpreter in Malaysia’s purchase of two French submarines in 2002.
Najib, who was the defense minister at that time and later became the prime minister, has consistently refuted any allegations of involvement with Shaariibuu or corruption in the submarine acquisitions.
