Ahmad Zahid and Dutton holding discussions in Putrajaya
PUTRAJAYA: The Australian government will 'consider' any application for extradition, including of convicted murderer Kop Sirul Azhar Umar, said visiting Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton.
Dutton said the matter of Sirul Azhar's extradition was raised at his meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here.
Nevertheless, Dutton pointed out that a very stringent legal process was involved.
"In relation to this matter, that can take some time. We have due respect for your country, with your rule of law. There is a robust legal system to go through," he said.
Sirul Azhar had gone to Australia before the Federal Court, in overturning a Court of Appeal decision, found him and C/Insp Azilah Hadri guilty of murdering Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.
The Federal Court then issued a warrant for his arrest.
On Jan 20, Sirul Azhar was reported to have been arrested by the immigration authorities in Queensland, Australia, for an immigration offence. The report also said that he was being held at an immigration detention centre.
On Jan 16, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Australian government would not entertain a Malaysian government request to have Sirul Azhar extradited.
Australian extradition law does not allow a person to be extradited to face an offence that carries the death penalty.
Dutton was also bombarded with questions from reporters as to how Sirul Azhar was able to have access to phone calls following a claim by PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar that he managed to contact the former special action unit personnel.
Dutton said he could not say whether any individual in Malaysia had telephoned Sirul Azhar.
"That is something I can't confirm or deny," he said.
Last Monday, Mahfuz claimed that he managed to contact an individual who claimed to be Sirul Azhar in the presence of local and international journalists, after 15 attempts.
Ahmad Zahid said he did not rule out the possibility of Malaysia applying for Sirul Azhar's extradition from Australia or arranging a prisoner exchange with that country.
Asked by reporters if Malaysia would make such application, he replied: "Yes. Possible. We have an extradition treaty with Australia."
Malaysia concluded on extradition treaty with Australia in 2006. - Bernama
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