PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar is making arrangements for the mother of former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar to meet with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said that Piah Samat wants to "tell something" to the former premier regarding her son, who was convicted of murdering Altantuya Shaariibuu and sentenced to death.

"Piah is hoping that Mahathir will help her son since Sirul has been made a scapegoat," he told Malaysiakini .

Mahfuz hopes that the meeting would help shed light on who issued the directive to murder the Mongolian national and the motive.

He also revealed that Sirul was grateful to Mahathir for raising this issue.

"When I spoke to him (Sirul) over the telephone, he told me that he was 'touched' by the former premier's remarks," he added.

Mahfuz said he personally welcomed Mahathir's statement and hoped that together with Piah, the two would be able to meet the Umno leader.

Even though the statement was released late, he said what the former premier had raised is highly relevant.

“This may help resolve the controversy surrounding the mysterious case and give hope to Sirul.”

Following 'whose' instructions

Mahfuz had brought the 74-year-old Piah to Sydney last month, where she managed to meet Sirul , who is the fourth child in a family of eight siblings.

While there Piah cooked some traditional Malay food, including sambal ikan bilis , for her son.

Yesterday, Mahathir asked the police to investigate the claims made by Sirul in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini that he acted under orders and those with a motive to murder Altantuya were still at large.

The former premier said it would be wrong for the former police commando to be hanged for following instructions.

In January, the Federal Court upheld Sirul and another former police commando Azilah Hadri's conviction after the pair was acquitted by the Court of Appeal earlier.

However, before the verdict, Sirul fled to Australia where he is currently under the detention of immigration authorities.

Australian law prohibits sending back those who face the death penalty in their home countries and Malaysia has yet to file an extradition application.

Choose country or Najib

Mahfuz further welcomed Mahathir's statement against Najib following the Umno president's silence amidst some controversial issues surrounding him.

“It clearly shows that what is voiced by Pakatan Rakyat are not empty rumours as Mahathir, who is a veteran in Umno, also feels the same.”

“I urge Umno leaders and Cabinet ministers to come forward and state their stand on what Mahathir had said.

"Do not hide behind power or position until you are afraid to voice out the truth.

"When the country is facing a crisis like this, the leaders in the government should be brave enough to defend the people and the country.

“The people's interests should be at the forefront rather than Umno's. The people will evaluate BN's effort in looking after their welfare.

"The sufferings faced by the people as a result of the goods and services tax should not be treated lightly as they (Umno leaders) are the ones supporting Najib and putting him in power,” he said.

Hence, Mahfuz hopes the ministers and Umno leaders would state their stand whether they are in support of Najib's leadership or otherwise.