In an interview with Malaysiakini, Sirul, who is detained in Australia, said he was willing to assist the Pakatan Harapan Government put a closure to the murder of the Mongolian national in 2006.
From his detention centre in Sydney, Sirul, 45, told the portal that this was a condition for his release, as he felt that many saw him as a political detainee.
“That (Altantuya) case is my only (alleged) crime, as I do not have any criminal record prior to that.
“Hence, I am willing to assist the new government by telling what actually transpired, provided the Government grants me (a) full pardon.
“I had previously served under (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, and I would also like to use this opportunity to congratulate them on their (Pakatan Harapan’s) victory (in the polls).
“I also would like to thank Anwar for calling for a fresh trial,” Sirul told the portal.
Sirul also “expressed his displeasure” over how the murder trial took place, adding that he had followed his lawyers’ instructions.
Sirul claimed the “main witness was not called” during the trial and hoped that the case would be heard again.
image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2018/05/19/23/35/sirul.ashx?h=413&w=620&la=en
After the Federal Court conviction, Sirul said he had instructed his lawyers to file a review but claimed that it was never conducted.
Sirul also felt that there was a stigma attached to him because of the case.
As a police officer, and later with the Special Actions Unit, Sirul said he had “apprehended and killed others in the line of duty before under orders”.
“I did it for the country as all is done under orders. That is how the unit works. But I am upset when people accuse me, or say something bad about me and my family,” he said.
The job with the unit, however, came with a heavy price – he had to divorce his wife in 2003. But he retained custody of his two children.
Sirul said his son visited him in Australia two months after he fled there. However, he had to leave his daughter behind.
He said his daughter, who is 20, developed breast cancer and refused to seek treatment until she could see Sirul.
“I am very concerned over her well-being and health as she is under my custody,” he said, crying over the phone.
In 2009, Sirul and accomplice Azilah Hadri were convicted of murdering Altantuya and were sentenced to death.
The Court of Appeal overturned their sentences in 2013 but upon the prosecution’s appeal, they were upheld by the Federal Court.
Sirul fled to Australia where he was detained by the Australian Immigration after Interpol issued a red notice on him.
He has been at the detention centre since 2015.
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