Sirul required to wear an EMD device

KUALA LUMPUR - The former Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel Sirul Azhar Umar who was released from an immigration detention centre in Australia has been fitted with an Electronic Monitoring Device (EMD) that allows authorities to monitor his whereabouts in the country.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the Australian Border Force (ABF) stated that the use of the EMD and movement restrictions were conditions under the recently amended Migration Act and Migration Regulations.

According to the report, individuals convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape and paedophilia were required to wear the EMD bracelet in addition to complying with strict movement restrictions and reporting obligations.

Sirul Azhar, one of the 140 non-Australian detainees released after the High Court in the country ruled on Nov 8 that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful.

Following his release, Sirul Azhar convicted of murdering Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, appealed to continue living in Australia, citing danger to his life if he returned to Malaysia.

Sirul Azhar's decision to remain in Australia complicates Malaysia's authorities' efforts to extradite him to the country, hindering the investigation into his claim of receiving RM1 million to remain silent.