by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK/ pic by BERNAMA

PRIME minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has never met with death row inmate and former police commando Azilah Hadri, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

In a statement yesterday, the PMO also rubbished claims that the government is behind Azilah’s revelations of former PM Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s involvement in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“The PMO wishes to categorically state that the PM has never met former police commando Azilah Hadri since the latter’s imprisonment for the murder of Altantuya (Shaariibuu),” PMO said in a statement yesterday.

“There were also attempts to allude that Dr Mahathir was the VVIP, who allegedly met with Azilah who is on death row at the Kajang Prison, in February this year.”

The statement was made amid various news reports stating that Dr Mahathir had shook his head and smiled when asked if he had met Azilah.

“This question came at the tail end of a press conference following the launch of Bandar Malaysia in Putrajaya yesterday,” the PMO added.

“As this involves the legal process, the government will leave the matter to the relevant authorities to decide on the course of action,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Department said in a statement that Azilah has not been brought outside of the Kajang Prison throughout 2019.

“As such, the inmate has never been brought outside of the prison since April 15, 2015, for a court hearing at the Sepang Magistrate Court,” it said.

Separately, Najib also announced his intention to do a “sumpah laknat” (an oath to say that he is innocent and damning the accuser) tomorrow to clear his name on Azilah’s accusation.

“I will swear on this oath which will be made at the Kg Baru Mosque shortly after Friday prayers this week,” he said on his Facebook and Twitter.