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©The
Star (Used by permission)
by Cecil Fung
SHAH ALAM: A defence counsel contended that several police witnesses in the
Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial appeared to be telling lies because of the
contradictions in their testimonies.
But this contention did not go down well with the prosecution.
Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, counsel for accused Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, was
continuing his submissions on the admissibility of Asst Supt Zulkarnain
Samsudin’s testimony that alleged his client had led police to recover the
jewellery from his Kota Damansara flat.
The lawyer pointed out that each version of the events at the flat on Nov 7,
2006, as given by ASP Zulkarnain, C/Insp Koh Fei Cheow, L/Kpl Kamarolzaman Mat
Nor and Kpl Chiam Swee Guan had differences.
While ASP Zulkarnain had testified that he entered Kpl Sirul Azhar’s room
together with the accused and four other subordinates, C/Insp Koh, who was among
the four, did not mention two of his colleagues.
Kamarul Hisham also pointed out that C/Insp Koh, who was known to have a superb
memory, could not remember the words uttered by Kpl Sirul Azhar when he
allegedly showed ASP Zulkarnain his leather jacket, which was said to be where
the jewellery were kept.
The lawyer said Kpl Chiam’s testimony that ASP Zulkarnain had taken out a set of
keys and immediately opened the door to the flat also contradicted with his
superior’s version claiming he took about a minute to do so as he needed
instructions from the accused.
Kamarul Hisham said Kpl Chiam had also not said anything in his testimony about
Kpl Sirul Azhar pointing at the black jacket, as claimed by ASP Zulkarnain,
which was captured in one of the photographs tendered to court.
As such, the lawyer argued that this photograph of his client pointing at the
jacket was posed and fabricated for the benefit of the police.
To further strengthen his contention, Kamarul Hisham referred to the testimony
of L/Kpl Kamarolzaman, who was the photographer, in which he said the picture
had been taken after ASP Zulkarnain came out of the accused’s room saying the
items had been found and ordered him to start taking pictures.
On ASP Zulkarnain’s explanation that Kpl Sirul Azhar’s actions as photographed
were spontaneous, the lawyer questioned how it was that the police officer could
have anticipated when the accused was going to point at the jacket or hold it.
Furthermore, the lawyer said the pictures from the flat that had been tendered
to the court appeared distinct and not taken in rapid succession.
With all the contradictions, Kamarul Hisham argued that there was no way of
knowing who was telling the truth.
“Everyone seems to be telling lies,” he said.
A clearly unhappy lead prosecutor Deputy Public Prosecutor Tun Abd Majid Tun
Hamzah stood up and retorted that all the accused – C/Insp Azilah Hadri, Kpl
Sirul Azhar and Abdul Razak Baginda – were also telling lies if that was the
case.
“So are the accused persons. Be fair, Kamarul,” he said sternly.
Justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin, however, urged everyone to calm down and allowed
Kamarul Hisham to submit that point. The judge then turned to the prosecutor and
told him that he would get his turn to submit later.
The hearing continues on Monday.
Accused’s escort dies after collapsing  Helping hands: Policemen carrying L/Kpl Othman down the stairs of the court complex in Shah Alam yesterday. SHAH ALAM: A policeman escorting the three accused in the Altantuya Shaariibuu
murder trial yesterday morning collapsed when he reached the courtroom and died
later in hospital.
L/Kpl Othman Abd Rahman, 47, had escorted C/Insp Azilah Hadri, Kpl Sirul Azhar
Umar and Abdul Razak Baginda to the High Court, located on the second floor, via
the staircase.
He was standing just outside one of the side doors of the courtroom when he
suddenly fell unconscious.
His colleague L/Kpl A. Bakar Hussin performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on
him with some guidance from Abdul Razak’s daughter Rowena.
Once L/Kpl Othman regained consciousness, he was taken to the National Heart
Institute. However, he died at the hospital at 1.15pm.
Asst Supt Siti Nurazian Sharudin, the officer-in-charge at the Shah Alam
courthouse, confirmed L/Kpl Othman's death.
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Circular No 297/2008
