Sirul not worth the time to listen to, says Ramkarpal

Ramkarpal Singh, who represents murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu's father, asks how convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar could have known that Altantuya was not pregnant when she was murdered. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 25, 2016.

The people should not be swayed by the antics of convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar whose credibility is seriously compromised, lawyer Ramkarpal Singh said today.

Ramkarpal, who represents murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu's father Setev Shaariibuu, who is suing the Malaysian government and three others for negligence, was responding to news reports of statements made by Sirul in two videos clips.

Sirul, a former police commando found guilty of killing Altantuya, had reportedly said "the woman" was not pregnant when she was killed, without explicitly naming her.

 In a statement, Ramkarpal said Sirul was "not worth the time listening to", and asked how he could have known whether the woman was pregnant or not at the time of her death in 2006.

"The recent comments of Sirul in two video clips, in which he claimed, among others, that certain quarters and the media were attempting to use him to 'topple and slander' an unnamed individual and reports of 'that woman' was pregnant at the time of her death were false; are an affront to any reasonably intelligent mind and is not worth the time listening to.

"Presumably, 'that woman' this murderer was referring to was Altantuya Shaariibuu as he certainly has nothing more to his name in terms of fame.

"In the event Sirul was in fact referring to Altantuya, it is interesting to note his confidence in declaring she was not pregnant at the time of the incident. How could he have known this?" the lawyer said.

Sirul and former police VIP bodyguard, Azilah Hadri were convicted of killing Altantuya and blowing up her body with military explosives in a secondary jungle on a hill near Shah Alam in 2006.

Both face the death sentence, with Azilah being held on death row in prison and Sirul confined to an Australian immigration detention facility.

Ramkarpal said Sirul had chosen to make an unsworn statement from the dock during his murder trial, which was rejected by the court.

He said in light of the claims made by Sirul in the video clips, it was necessary to highlight that Sirul had stated he never knew Altantuya or had personal dealings with her.

Ramkarpal said Sirul in his sworn statement had also denied knowing political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah (Razak Baginda) or having any dealings with him before the case. Razak was acquitted in 2008 following lack of evidence in allegedly abetting the murder of Altantuya.

Sirul also reportedly claimed in his sworn statement that he was a mere scapegoat which had to be sacrificed to cover up the plans and malice of people who were not present in court. He said he had no reason to hurt or kill the victim in such a cruel manner.

"It is clear from Sirul’s own statement above that he did not know Altantuya or have any dealings with her. As such, he could not have known if she was pregnant or not at the time of her death," Ramkarpal said.

"Sirul’s claim that he was made a scapegoat may carry water and it is unlikely that he had any motive to kill Altantuya.

"He would do well to tell us who are the 'mereka' (they) he was referring to in his statement. Perhaps then, the nation would have an idea as to who really intended Altanuya’s murder.

"Until then, let us not be unnecessarily swayed by the antics of this convicted murderer whose credibility is seriously compromised," he said.

- TMI