Second accused Sirul Azhar Umar's testimony was filled with contradictions during his first time on the witness stand in the newly requested voir dire, or a trial within a trial.

Sirul was called to testify today as the defence witness in the 'mini-trial'. The trial within a trial, as requested by Sirul's counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin is to establish whether Sirul's confession was made voluntarily.

The alleged confession was made to his superior, Special Action Unit deputy commander ACP Mastor bin Mohd Ariff (right) during their flight from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.

Mastor, the No 2 man in the special police squad, was sent to fetch Sirul, who was part of the team to look after the security of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on a visit to Pakistan.

Mastor had earlier testified that Sirul, upon being told that he was being accused of murdering Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu "looked nervous and was shivering".

He said Sirul responded to the allegations about two or three minutes later.

Sirul surprised the court by telling deputy public prosecutor Tun Majid Tun Hamzah he did not response to Mastor, but later shocked the court when he told the court that "I (Sirul) did respond. I only just remembered", bringing a smile to the prosecutor's face.

Upon being told of the accusations against him, he told the court that "he (Mastor) asked if it was true. But I didn't say anything. On the contrary, it was him (Mastor) who said everything".

He later contradicted himself by telling the court that he did indeed said something on the matter.

Tun Majid: Relating to the accusations from Azilah that you murdered and blew up the Mongolian girl, you did not respond?

Sirul: No.

Tun Majid: I put it to you that two or three minutes after Mastor told you the real story of why you were brought back, you responded by telling him your side of the story. You gave him a response by making a confession.

Sirul: Yes, I just remembered that I did. I agree.

Tun Majid: Do you agree that you made a confession to Mastor about the murder?

Sirul: I agree.

He knew a 'bigger reason'

In a surprising twist, Sirul admitted later to his defence lawyer, Kamarul Hisham (left), during re-examination that he knew that his ex-wife was not the real reason he was being brought back to Malaysia.

Upon being asked whether Sirul knew of a "bigger reason" as to why he was brought back as he suspected that Mastor was lying to him, Sirul responded by saying he was not sure.

He later confirmed that although he did not know of a "bigger reason", he was sure that it couldn't be because of his wife.

However, on further questioning, Sirul admitted he knew of the real reason even before Mastor had told him about it.

Kamarul: You (Sirul) said that there was a bigger reason. Are you referring to before or after Mastor told you the real reason?

Sirul: Before

Kamarul: You were asked by the DPP, that even though you weren't told, you knew of a bigger reason. Your responded by saying you didn't know of one.

Sirul: Before he told me, I thought it was because of my wife.

Kamarul: You said that you didn't believe what Mastor told you. What did you feel was the real reason? Is it about your wife as well?

Sirul: It's about this case lah.

Kamarul: You weren't told about the case before Mastor told you about it. What "bigger thing" was on your mind?

Sirul: In my mind, I thought it was about my wife.

In an attempt to make sense of the answers, the judge asked Sirul himself what he thought was the "bigger thing".

Sirul made a final response on this topic by saying that it could have been that his ex-wife was killed.

Proud or worried?

Sirul was confounded once again when cross-examined about his state of mind when talking to Mastor.

Tun Majid: Didn't you feel proud when a senior officer sat next to you to talk to you?

Sirul: Yes. I felt proud.

Tun Majid: So you felt proud, but not nervous and worried?

Sirul: I felt nervous because he is much more senior than me. In the police...

Tun Majid: But you felt proud at the same time? Tapi kamu rasa bangga at the same time?

Sirul: No... I...

He later contradicted his earlier statement of feeling "proud" upon re-examination by Kamarul Hisham and confirmed that he did indeed feel "nervous and worried, not proud".

Questioned on Mastor's tone

Sirul earlier explained to the court that Mastor's voice was initially less stern but later grew to be stronger and more stern.

He later admitted during cross-examination by prosecutor Tun Majid that even though Mastor's voice was "stronger and more stern", his voice was only loud enough to be heard by Sirul himself and not loud enough for other people inside the plane to hear.

He also told prosecutor that Mastor was "not whispering" and he had a "normal tone".

Upon re-examination, he re-affirmed that Mastor's voice was indeed "stronger and more stern" but his voice at that point was still only loud enough for only Sirul to hear.

A submission will be made on Monday by both the prosecution and the defence for Sirul.

Mastor can only reveal Sirul's alleged mid-air confession after High Court judge Mohd Zaki decides on whether the corporal's response amounted to a confession and whether it was made voluntarily.

Azilah and Sirul are charged with the murder of the Mongolian which allegedly took place between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 last year.

Renowned political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 47, is charged with abetting them. All three accused face the death penalty if convicted.

The court hearing will resumed not tomorrow but on Monday.