Former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar has allegedly revealed the names of those who purportedly attempted to bribe or coax him into implicating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, according to a source.
The source, who is in possession of Sirul’s alleged video confession, told Malaysiakini that five names were mentioned.
Though he declined to reveal the identities for now, the source, who met Sirul at the Villawood immigration detention centre in Australia, said those mentioned include both Umno and opposition leaders.
“I cannot tell you who they are (for now) but some big names have been mentioned.
“Some of them had (allegedly) approached him directly while others through their aides or representatives.
“The video will be released soon,” he added.
Previously, three parts of Sirul’s video confession were released, where the former corporal claimed that there were attempts to use him to engineer the downfall of someone.
Though he did not state who this person was, it was an obvious reference to the prime minister.
Sarawak Report’s Editor fully expects to be ‘named’ by Sirul, along with others who have sought the truth in these matters. It follows a pattern of attempts to discredit this blog, using discredited people.
Viewers will be at liberty to wonder why this killer, who is trapped in jail, has changed his tune from his original complaint at his trial that he had been made a scapegoat by powerful people; to his hints last year that he might speak out about who ordered him to kill Altantuya and now finally to this series of filmed statements, which betray just one motive – to “clear” Najib of any involvement in the murder of the woman, who was seeking to blackmail him.
SR, along with many other journalists, attempted to visit Sirul in jail to hear his story last year. However, his lawyers (whom we have proved are UMNO insiders) banned all further visits, except from them. This video is therefore orchestrated by Sirul’s UMNO lawyers, who are the only visitors allowed.
It contrasts with the messages found on Sirul’s own mobile phone after his arrest, which were later obtained by Al Jazeera. These detail how before Sirul was picked up in Australia he was demanding millions of dollars from his UMNO contracts to “say nothing”.
“This way I won’t bring down the PM” said Sirul in these private messages.
Najib threatened to sue Al Jazeera for their expose and then did not.
Has Sirul been paid and promised his pardon in return for cooperating in this alternative strategy?