PKR working with Australian MPs to secure media interview with Sirul
(The Star) – PKR is working with Australian MPs to file a formal application with the Australian government to allow former police officer Sirul Azhar to give a televised interview, said Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.
“I was made to understand that Sirul cannot give a televised interview without the prior approval of the Australian government,” said Rafizi.
He added that PKR was working with independent Senator Nick Xenophon as well as representatives from the Green Party and Australian Labour Party.
“If the permission is obtained, it will allow Malaysian and international media to interview Sirul and reopen investigations into Altantuya’s murder,” said Rafizi.
Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters here on Monday, the PKR secretary-general said the party would also be launching a campaign to reopen investigations into the 2006 murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shariibuu.
“PKR branches and representatives will be making police reports to call for this and we will tweet the Inspector-General of Police with updates as to the number of police reports filed so he can focus on them, ” said Rafizi.
He also added that PKR would be launching an international campaign to put pressure on the Malaysian government to release PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Rafizi said that he had met with Xenophon and Indonesian MPs in Jakarta on Feb 18.
On the campaign itself, Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung said; “Our job is to go out there internationally and see how we can galvanize support from their side to free Anwar.”
In speaking about Anwar’s conviction for sodomy, Rafizi challenged Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin to a debate over allegations that Anwar’s five year jail term was part of a political conspiracy against him.
“I call on Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to openly prepare a platform for this debate,” said Rafizi.
He added that he had three preconditions for the debate, that the format must be agreed upon by both parties, with a mutually approved moderator and that the debate must be telecast live to prevent editing.
He said he has no problem debating anyone else Umno wished to field – even if it is Anwar’s accuser, Mohd Saiful Azlan Bukhari.
