According to the convicted murderer’s lawyer, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, the protection visa will allow Sirul to remain in the country without having to return to Malaysia to face his impending execution.

“Don’t confuse the word ‘protection visa’ with the impression that Sirul is requesting for the Australian government’s protection. It’s just a visa for those who have overstayed in the country,” said Kamarul at a press conference here today.

“If he is successful in his application, Sirul will be freed from the detention centre where he is currently at. He will then be granted the freedom to move around the country and that is what we are currently working on.”

Kamarul also expressed confusion over the police’s interest to meet with Sirul at the Villawood Immigration Centre in Sydney where the latter is currently detained.

“We didn’t know the Malaysian police had requested to meet with Sirul as no application was made to us. Any request to do so has to go through his lawyers.”

Sirul, a former member of the elite police Special Action Unit, and another former colleague were sentenced to death on January 13 this year for the murder of Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Sirul, however, failed to appear at the Federal Court when the verdict was delivered. He was later reported to have fled to Australia.