Altantuya's family zooms in on Azilah acted under 'explicit orders'

Altantuya Shaariibuu’s family has questioned the attorney-general (AG) over an unchallenged affidavit filed by Azilah Hadri, a former police officer convicted for her murder, as part of his application to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Their lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, said it is significant that the public prosecutor did not rebut the additional affidavit.

"The additional affidavit includes uncontested claims that Azilah acted under explicit instructions, a fact left unchallenged by the public prosecutor, raising serious questions about the AG’s actions. 

"The family demands to know if these allegations have been investigated and if not, why they remain unaddressed," she added.

On Oct 10, the Federal Court allowed Azilah’s application to commute his death sentence to 40 years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the rotan, effective from the date of his arrest.

"In coming to its decision, the court relied mainly on the two following grounds - the unrebutted additional affidavit filed by the applicant (Azilah) and a letter in support of the applicant provided by Shaariibuu Setev, Altantuya’s father," Sangeet said.

She also said it was worth noting that the civil suit over the murder, which also led to serious findings of liability in relation to former defence analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and the government remains unresolved, with appeals pending to date.

"In the context of criminal investigations, the AG, as the guardian of the rule of law, has a duty to pursue every lead, impartially to hold all individuals accountable, regardless of status, influence or affiliation.

"Appropriate charges must be brought against all who were involved.

"Any hesitation or selective application of the law (or perception thereof) will rightly erode public trust and confidence in the office of the AG," Sangeet added.

Get Sirul back to face justice

On that note, Sangeet stated that Altantuya’s family also seeks an immediate update from the AG on his next steps in relation to the extradition of fugitive Sirul Azhar Umar following the recent amendments to the mandatory death penalty and commutation of Azilah’s sentencing.

"The AG has no excuse for further delay. He is urged to act quickly and decisively in securing Sirul’s immediate return to face his sentence.

"Failing to pursue both cases (Azilah’s and Sirul’s) with equal vigour reinforces the dangerous perception that the Malaysian legal system protects the powerful while failing the people it purports to serve," she stressed.

Sirul, who was convicted alongside Azilah for the murder, fled to Australia in 2013 after the Court of Appeal freed the duo.

The Federal Court eventually reinstated their conviction and death sentence in 2015. However, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said late last year that Malaysia was unable to apply for Sirul’s extradition until the latter applies to commute his death sentence into a jail sentence.

With that, Sangeet said: "These recent developments demand urgent and transparent action.

"The family of the deceased seeks accountability and the rectification of this past injustice under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.”

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