Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar will find a sponsor to send police personnel to Australia in order for them to probe claims made by fugitive police commando Sirul Azhar Umar.

"If the police don't have money to pay for the officers (flights), then I will find a sponsor who can pay for the police and the inspector-general of police to go there," Mahfuz told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Previously, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said there was no need to further question Sirul further, as police have already met him at the immigration detention centre in Sydney.

However, Sirul ( right ) refuted this claim by the IGP in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini .

In light of this, Mahfuz reiterated that police must probe the fugitive’s claims that he was made a scapegoat, and was acting under orders.

He also confirmed that Sirul's mother, Piah Samad, has met with Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the former prime minister's office in Putrajaya yesterday.

"It's true, I took Sirul's mother and his uncle to meet Mahathir at the Yayasan Perdana office in Putrajaya yesterday," he said.

Mahfuz added that he had to keep the meeting secret, out of fear that there would be an attempt to stop it from happening.

During the 40-minute meeting, he said, Piah had expressed hope that Mahathir could help out her son.

“Mahathir listened diligently to her... he was very sad and very sympathetic to her.

“(However) Mahathir did not promise her anything, but Piah feels (that he will help),” Mahfuz said.

Second meeting planned

Mahfuz, who is also PAS information chief, said he is planning to hold a second meeting with the Mahathir, this time, with Sirul on the phone with them.

“I hope I can organise another meet, to allow Sirul to speak with Mahathir.

“I believe if Sirul can tell Mahathir everything, then Mahathir will know what to do (to help Sirul),” Mahfuz said.

He also defended Mahathir, saying the former prime minister had not accused Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of issuing the kill order to Sirul.

“Mahathir only said there should be an investigation into Sirul’s claims, and I believe Mahathir will pressure (the police) into carrying out an investigation.

Sirul and fellow police commando Azilah Hadri have been sentenced to death for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

However, Sirul escaped incarceration in the death row by fleeing to Australia before the court verdict was delivered, where he was detained by the country’s immigration authorities.

Australia has a policy of not extraditing people facing the hangman’s noose back to their home country, making government efforts to bring Sirul back difficult.