After 158 days of trial, the defence closes its case in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial, with second accused corporal Sirul Azhar Umar testifying he had been made a "scapegoat" by the police - to be sacrificed in order to protect their plans.


 As if proving his point, Sirul, 37, who was sporting an all black attire from his trousers, shirt to a black coat, revealed how several police officers from the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters D9 (serious crimes unit) had changed their testimonies while at the prosecution stage to ensure the court convicts him of the crime.


 &ldquo;The real persons responsible are not in court today to face the consequence of their actions and plans,&rdquo; he said in reading his 15-page testimony while testifying from the dock.


 &ldquo;I have no intention to hurt and take the victim's life in such a violent manner. I do not know her (Altantuya) and have no personal business with her. I also do not know Abdul Razak Baginda and have not had any dealings with him on any matter prior to this case."


 <img align="right" alt="altantuya razak baginda murder 110707 sirul escorted" height="198" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/90/ebdac69af21db06a5eb2a6515d8d5ebc.jpg" title="altantuya razak baginda murder 110707 sirul escorted" width="260"/>
 Sirul, at the end of his 55-minute testimony was in tears, and pleaded before High Court judge justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin that the court was in a position of power in determining his life and death.


 &ldquo;Some of the police officers who are important prosecution witness had lied, made up stories and always changing their testimonies when they are being cross-examined,&rdquo; he said.


 &ldquo;I plead to you, please do not convict me of the crime, and at the same time you will thwart their plans in implicating me with the heinous crime.&rdquo;


 A total of 84 prosecution witnesses had testified in the trial, while first accused chief inspector Azilah Hadri and Sirul were the only defence witnesses.


 A testimony from the dock carries less weight in terms of evidence, as he could not be cross-examined by the prosecution or the judge.


 
 
 Conflicting testimonies
 
 


 While Azilah testified during his defence that Sirul was the last person seen with Altantuya alive at Bukit Aman, Sirul had a different story to tell today.


 The corporal told the court that after stopping by the roadside in front of the old Amanah Raya Bhd building near Jalan Duta on the night of Nov 19, 2006, to meet Azilah, he had headed home.


 Sirul said this was after Azilah had told him that he managed to pacify Altantuya who had earlier caused a commotion at Abdul Razak's house that same night. That was the last time he heard about Altantuya.


 He said that after finding the situation under control, he decided to leave for his home in Kota Damansara. &ldquo;I drove to Seri Hartamas to eat at a restaurant and then I went home at about 10pm,&rdquo; he said.


 &ldquo;At about midnight, I again drove out from my house to the Kota Damansara toll heading towards Jalan Duta and towards Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur to have my sahur," he said in explaining the toll receipts.


 Describing his relationship with Azilah, Sirul said the chief inspector had called him on the morning of Oct 10, 2006, inquiring whether he had any assignments.


 Sirul said he told Azilah he was on standby and the chief inspector asked him to come and meet him at Central Market that afternoon.


 &ldquo;Azilah informed me that deputy superintendent Musa Safri, the aide de corp to the deputy prime minister, wanted us to help his friend who is having some &lsquo;female problem&rsquo;.


 &ldquo;Musa told Azilah that the person was a senior person, and a well-to-do businessman (Abdul Razak). Azilah briefed me that Abdul Razak was facing a threat from the woman and a Chinese man. The woman was an old flame of Abdul Razak," he said.


 Sirul said he was obliged to help Azilah in the matter as he knew Musa was his superior officer.


 "I was of the view that in accepting the task to help Azilah, I was agreeable to help my superior officer," he said.


 Sirul said Azilah showed him Abdul Razak's house in Bukit Damansara and wanted his help to patrol the house when the chief inspector was having outstation duty to prevent Altantuya from creating a commotion. Then, the second accused said they went to Hotel Malaya where Altantuya had stayed.


 
 
 Implicated by the police
 
 


 Sirul cried twice while reading his written testimony. The first was when describing how his superior ACP Mastor Mohd Ariff had somewhat tricked him on Nov 6, 2006, when he was told his ex-wife had lodged a report against him and he was relieved of his duties in escorting the prime minister in Pakistan.


 The second was towards the end of his testimony when he described how the police had implicated him during the trial.


 The corporal said on his return from Pakistan, instead of meeting his ex-wife, he was led to the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters where Mastor handed him to DSP Gan Teck Chi the investigating officer to the murder case.


 "I was interrogated by one ASP Dzulkarnain and chief inspector Koh Fei Chow and I told them I did not know what had happened. However, Dzulkarnain threatened me, saying &lsquo;do not let me treat you like the other accused&rsquo;.


 "I was afraid he may assault me like any other accused persons. Then he instructed me to agree to hold some of the evidence and had my picture taken. I was led to the crime scene and also to my flat in Kota Damansara," said Sirul.


 The second accused said on reaching there he saw other Special Action Squad officers DSP Yusri, sergeant Rosli and sergeant Zahri.


 He said Rosli took out his house key, which he claimed he had earlier given to Mastor.


 "I did not show them the direction to my flat however, they seemed to know and led me to it. I was asked to hold my jacket and a police photographer took my photo. I was also asked to show other evidence to the murder case which were placed on my bed.


 &ldquo;I asked Dzulkarnain: &lsquo;What is this?&rsquo; But the police officer said that I should just show it. All this time, they did not indicate caution to me which was required by law before they took my statement," the corporal said.


 He said throughout his ordeal his house key was with Mastor and the one provided by Rosli was a newer set which he had never seen before.


 Sirul also claimed an unidentified slipper was also placed in his jeep.


 "I have a different slipper and this slipper as depicted in the picture which was tendered as evidence are certainly not mine. It is not even my size," he said, adding that throughout his assignment in Pakistan, he left his vehicle in Bukit Aman.


 Sirul said it was clear there was someone who was trying to implicate him of the crime where he did not do anything and did not know Altantuya.

Making his statement from the dock, Sirul said that he was made a victim in order to protect the police in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.


Altantuya murder: Sirul claims being made the scapegoat

~RM12

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