A police commando at the centre of a sensational case involving allegations of high-level corruption in Kuala Lumpur has declared he will not voluntarily return to Malaysia to be hanged, creating a diplomatic dilemma for the Abbott government.
Sirul Azhar Umar gave the instruction to his lawyer in Sydney's Villawood immigration detention centre, as a key figure in the case broke his silence, claiming he does not know the motive behind the murder of glamorous Mongolian socialite Altantuya Shaariibuu in Kuala Lumpur.
"Sirul has said he won't return. Anybody in his situation would not want to return," said Malaysian lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican, who met him in Villawood.
Mr Hasnal told Malaysia's Sinar Harian newspaper that Sirul would not meet with anyone from Malaysia, except through his lawyers.
Australia has made clear it will not agree to a Malaysian request to extradite Sirul, who was arrested on immigration charges in Ipswich in Queensland on January 20, unless the government in Kuala Lumpur gives an undertaking he will not be executed, leaving him facing prolonged detention in Villawood.
Malaysian opposition MPs have urged Sirul to reveal the motive behind the murder of Ms Shaariibuu who was shot twice in the head, wrapped in plastic explosives and blown up in a jungle patch on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur as she begged for the life of her unborn child.
Sirul told a judge during his trial he was "the black sheep who has been sacrificed to protect unnamed people."
Allegations have simmered for eight years that stunningly beautiful Ms Shaariibuu was murdered to keep her quiet about purported kickbacks to high-level Malaysian officials over the country's US$2 billion purchase of two French and Spanish built Scorpene submarines when prime minister Najib Razak was defence minister. She was 28 at the time of her death.
Ms Shaariibuu, described as a sophisticated jet-setting party girl, worked as a translator in the later stages of negotiations.
Mr Najib strongly denies ever meeting Ms Shaariibuu or having any link to her and his government denies any wrongdoing in the submarine purchases which are the subject of an investigation by magistrates in France.
Abdul Razak Baginda, a former friend and adviser to Mr Najib, who was initially charged with abetting the murder but released before any evidence was led, described as "ridiculous" the speculation swirling around the case.
In an interview with Malaysian Insider, Mr Razak, a former lover of Ms Shaariibuu, said only Sirul and his police colleague Azlih Hadri, who also has been sentenced to hang for the murder, know the motive.
"Rogue police do kill people," he said, adding that many people have died inexplicably in police custody.
Mr Razak, who played a central role in negotiating the submarine deal, lashed out at what he described as a "herd mentality" in Malaysia where people were chasing conspiracies.
"It was a straightforward murder but there are still people convinced that police cannot do this without instructions," said Mr Razak, who is believed to be living in Britain with his family.
Mr Razak defended Mr Najib who in recent months faced criticism of his performance by conservative hardliners in the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
"I hope the focus will be on me, rather than Najib," Mr Razak said.
"You know, it is my story. Poor guy. To be honest with you, words cannot express my feelings towards how he has become a victim," he said.
