Altantuya’s father cries foul over Sirul’s release from Aussie jail

KUALA LUMPUR: The father of the murdered Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, has cried foul over the release of former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar Umar from prison in Australia.

Her father Dr Shaariibuu Setev responded to Australian immigration’sa decision to release Sirul and 86 other detainees following a High Court ruling that did away with indefinite detention.

In an interview with the newspaper Weekend Australian, Shaariibuu said he was shocked that his daughter’s killer was now walking free, saying ”he was disappointed in Australia.”

He said he was informed by any Australian government representative that his daughter’s killer was among those freed.

“Where is the human right for the victim’s family? We are right here, we are still alive and suffering.

“There is a Mongolian embassy in Australia, an Australian embassy in Mongolia. No one has contacted me,” he said.

Shaariibuu asked when the Australian government would send him an apology, adding “I really wonder why Australia released a murderer.

“It makes me think all the murderers in the world can go to Australia, spend time in immigration detention and eventually be released and become free men,” he said.

Altantuya, a mother of two, was driven to a jungle in 2006 and shot twice in an execution-style murder before her body was blown up.

Sirul, a former bodyguard of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has maintained he was ordered to abduct Altantuya.

He had remained in a detention centre since his claim for asylum in Australia was rejected in 2019.

Sirul and another former policeman, Azilah Harun, are facing a RM100mil suit from Shaariibuu and his wife, Altantsetseg Sanjaa, as well as their grandsons Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga.

Najib’s former associate, Abdul Razak Baginda, 63, and the Malaysian government have also been named in the suit.