KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General (A-G) must act swiftly to secure the extradition of fugitive Sirul Azhar, following the Federal Court's decision to commute Azilah Hadri's death sentence, says Sangeet Kaur Deo, the lawyer representing Altantuya Shaariibuu's family.
"The A-G has no excuse for further delay," Sangeet said, referencing recent amendments to the mandatory death penalty and the Federal Court's decision to reduce Azilah's sentence to 40 years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the rotan.
Sangeet called for "quick and decisive" action to ensure Sirul faces his sentence, warning that failure to pursue both cases "with equal vigour reinforces the dangerous perception that the Malaysian legal system protects the powerful while failing the people it purports to serve."
Sangeet added that Azilah's commuted sentence, issued on Oct 10, was based on two key factors: an unrebutted affidavit by Azilah and a letter of support from Altantuya's father, Dr Shaariibuu Setev
The unrebutted affidavit, in which Azilah claims he acted under explicit instructions, raises "serious concerns," Sangeet said, questioning why its content remains uninvestigated.
"The family of Altantuya Shaariibuu demands to know if these allegations have been investigated, and if not, why they remain unaddressed," he added.
Sangeet also raised the ongoing civil suits involving Razak Baginda and the government, emphasising the A-G's duty to ensure accountability and warning that selective justice would erode public trust.
"The family of the late Altantuya Shaariibuu calls on the A-G to provide answers and updates on both the unrebutted affidavit and the extradition of Sirul Azhar. These developments demand urgent and transparent action," Sangeet said, adding that the government should rectify this long-standing injustice.
In 2009, Azilah and Sirul were sentenced to death for Altantuya's 2006 murder, but Sirul fled to Australia. Azilah, serving his sentence, filed a 2019 review claiming the order to kill Altantuya came from then-Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.