Investigate Sirul's claim on Altantuya murder, says Ramkarpal

Ramkarpal (centre) and Lim after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police station

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has urged the police to investigate the statement of former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who said he was under orders to kill Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Ramkarpal said there was no time limit as far as criminal investigations were concerned.

"In a situation like this, the police have a duty to carry out investigations regardless of whether Sirul has been convicted of the murder," he told reporters after Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng lodged a police report on the matter at the Dang Wangi police station here Thursday morning.

In an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this week, Sirul claimed he had been under orders to kill Altantuya and that the people with the motive were still free.

The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has expressed concern that quarters with vested interest in the case may influence Sirul to lie.

Ramkarpal, however, said that Khalid should investigate and not speculate on the matter.

"That might be the case but it also might not be the case. If not, it is a serious matter. It goes to show that there certainly are other people behind the murder of Altantuya. His job is not to speculate. His job is to investigate, " said Ramkarpal who is counsel for Altantuya's family.

Sirul and former C/Insp Azilah Hadri were charged with killing the Mongolian model in 2006 and convicted of the crime by the High Court in 2009.

On Aug 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal freed Azilah and Sirul, following an appeal.

On Jan 13, this year, the Federal Court set aside the Court of Appeal ruling and restored the death sentence.

Sirul was not present in court to hear the sentence. He is believed to have gone to Australia, entering the country on a tourist visa and a valid passport last year.

He was detained on Jan 20 by Australian immigration officials after an Interpol red notice was issued, and is being held at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney.