Sirul told to ‘shut up’, says Sarawak Report

Someone is financing Sirul’s son in Australia and paying his two Umno-linked lawyers.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak Report (SR) has raised several queries regarding the case of Sirul Azhar Umar, one of the two bodyguards convicted of the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, and held for the last three months and two weeks at an immigration centre in Sydney, Australia.

Sirul is reportedly now relying on his Australian legal team to submit an application to fight his extradition to Malaysia on the grounds of granting a “Protection Visa” against the prospect of the death sentence awaiting him if he returns to Malaysia.

Sirul, according to SR, clammed up after he was visited mid-April by two lawyers linked to Umno and apparently representing him.

Visitors sent by his family to see him were turned away.

He has been told to shut up, a person close to the situation reiterated. “He was told not to speak to any media and not to speak to anyone associated with Dr Mahathir or his chance of a protection visa [leave to stay] will be in danger. They have advised him that he needs to keep his mouth shut or he may incriminate himself, even though he is already incriminated.”

A contact who has communicated with the detainee told SR. “Sirul’s son is being looked after in Australia, financed by an unknown source.”

So, who is paying?

Who is paying Sirul’s lawyers and why have they not declared openly, who is their financial backer in managing Sirul’s expensive defence costs?

Sirul’s solicitor is Hasnal Rezua Merican, an Umno Youth division leader, and his barrister is Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin.

Kamarul, according to SR, was awarded a datukship this February.