DPM: REVIEW OF DEATH PENALTY NEEDED BEFORE SIRUL CAN RETURN
It must be done before applying for Sirul’s extradition, says Wan Azizah
MALAYSIA needs to look into its capital punishment laws before making an application to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar, who is being detained in Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said this at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
She said the government had not “specifically discussed about Sirul’s case at the moment”.
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, who is on a working visit here, said yesterday there had been no application for the extradition of convicted killer and former policeman Sirul Azhar from Malaysia.
Bishop said it was inappropriate for her to speculate before Australia received any application from the Malaysian government.
Bishop added that further discussion needed to be held about Malaysia’s intention to consider the abolishment of the death penalty.
“This is a position that Australia has held for some time... we oppose the death penalty, both at home and abroad. In fact, we advocate strongly for the abolishment of the death penalty.
“We are on the United Nations’ human rights council and the abolishment of death penalty is one of the pillars of their advocacy.
“Sirul is being held at Australia Immigration Detention. As Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said recently, Malaysia had not made any extradition application.
“It would be inappropriate for me to speculate until such time as Malaysia makes an application for extradition under existing treaty between the two countries,” she said after paying Wan Azizah a courtesy call at the Parliament building yesterday morning.
Former chief inspector, Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar, in 2009, were jointly convicted of killing Mongolian model and mother of two, Altantuya Shaariibuu, on Oct 18, 2008. Sirul Azhar then fled for Australia after the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s decision in 2013.
He was detained in Villawood Detention Centre for overstaying his tourist visa.
However, on Jan 13, 2015, the Federal Court convicted Sirul Azhar and Azilah, and sentenced them to death over the 2006 murder.
Bishop is on a working visit to Malaysia until today.
When asked about PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being critical of Australia for their support of the previous administration, Dr Wan Azizah said there was no discussion about the matter.
“We did not discuss about that... That is over now (former government). We have a new government and whatever Australia has done that was critical, we criticised it. Now they are offering us help, especially in the transition.
“That was the first thing we had discussed. Malaysia has not had transition in 61 years.
“Australia has had transitions... we have discussed about what to do and how to move forward rather than dwell on past issues.”