Access Malaysia Today at http://mt.m2day.org/ - Malaysian blogger pleads not guilty to sedition charges

A+ | A- | Reset

Home

The Blogs

News/Commentaries

Malaysian blogger pleads not guilty to sedition charges

Posted by St Low

Tuesday, 07 October 2008 09:18

AGENCIES, KUALA LUMPUR

A popular Malaysian blogger yesterday pleaded not guilty to sedition over an article he wrote that linked the deputy prime minister and his wife to the murder of a Mongolian woman.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder of the popular Malaysia Today site that frequently airs criticism of government leaders, has also been held in detention since August under tough internal security laws.

Najib, who is expected to replace Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the country’s next leader, has denied any involvement in the 2006 murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Najib’s close friend, Abdul Razak Baginda, is on trial for abetting the murder, and two police officers from a unit that guards the prime minister and his deputy have been charged with the killing.

Raja Petra, 58, pleaded not guilty to the sedition charge lodged over an article published in April entitled “Let’s Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell.”

“I claim trial,” a tired-looking Raja Petra told the court.

Lawyers said that Malaysia’s Sedition Act, a relic from British colonial times, has historically been used to prevent uprising against the leadership, as well as disharmony among the people.

Raja Petra’s wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, said he would not be cowed into silence, and urged the government to abandon its use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for detention without trial.

“He is not giving up. He is not a threat to security. If he has done wrong, charge him in court. Do not detain him under the ISA,” she told reporters.

“What’s wrong in exposing leaders who indulge in corruption? Are we supposed to remain silent?” she said.

About three dozen supporters gathered outside the court, wearing T-shirts with slogans such as “I am with RPK,” “Free RPK,” and “No to ISA.”

The ISA, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against terrorism suspects.

If convicted of sedition, Raja Petra faces a three-year jail term.

The hearing will continue at least until the end of the week and the court will then decide whether the case goes to trial.
This story has been viewed 355 times.

- The Taipei Times

Comments (8) Add Comment

...
written by ellyna, October 07, 2008 09:28:31

Marina is right! Are we supposed to remain silent when our leaders commit murder???!!!! NO!!!!

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 54

Votes: +54

...
written by Ann Meng Sim, October 07, 2008 09:41:18

No we are NOT supposed to remain silent.

BUT they want to send the message across to all rakyat... they are the boss, they have the right to do anything at all, murder included. And those who dare to speak up... this is what will happen to them. They are using RPK as a warning to everyone.

So we must all stand together! One For All and All For One! All those MT readers in KL, please go show your support to RPK! Give him strength to continue his fight!

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 36

Votes: +35

...
written by cheekhiaw, October 07, 2008 10:11:40

LATEST UPDATE ON CHANDRA HARME EXCHANGE IN COURT

Chandra: Can you determine with absolute certainty that the said 'seditious' posting was not actually made by someone that was actually present at the scene when Altantuya was blown up with C4?

Harme: No.

Chandra: Then is it possible that the article was actually written by someone who was actually present at the scene of the blowing up of Altantuya?

Harme: Possible.

Chandra: In that case, that person would know who was present at the scene wouldn't it not?

Harme: Yes.

Chandra: Did that article say that one of those present was a woman related to a senior government leader?

Harme: Yes

Chandra: Do you also know that that woman happens to be the wife of the DPM that so happens to have policemen that happens to have multiple kills and also so happens to be under charge, along with a top government advisor that also happens to be the DPM's good friend, for murdering Altantuya whose immigration records just happens to have disappeared into thin air?

Harme: Yes

Chandra: Do you also know that Altantuya was blown up with C4 that alo happens to be possibly issued by the defence establishment that happened to be under the charge of a man that just happened to be the DPM?

Harme: Yes

Chandra: Do you think any Tom, Dick or Harry would be able to get the Police to assign multi-kill policemen to the DPM, get the Immigration Dept to erase immigration records, and have the military to issue C4 and C4 experts for the murder?

Harme: No. Not any Tom, Dick and Harry but 1 or 2 Dicks can.

Chandra: And can you say with absolute certainty that all that were just mere coincidences?

Harme: No.

Chandra: Do you then think that everything do not just smell suspicious?

Harme: Yes, it stinks all over. Even MCMC can smell it over the net.

Chandra: In that case, do you think there may be some grounds for the police to start an investigation into the claims made by the article that was possibly written by a person that was actually present at the scene of murder?

Harme: Yes.

Chandra: And if the contents of the article are true, then they are not seditious, isn't it not?

Harme: Yes.

Chandra: Your honour, until the contents of the said article are established to be false beyond all doubts there is no case to even suggest that the said article is seditious let alone that my client was the author. I therefore demand an annulment of my client's case.

Judge: Agreed. Case closed. Now police fellas, go do some real investigation work and open a new case at the defence ministry...

xxx

report abuse

disagree 2

agree 24

Votes: +22

...
written by ahmadneil, October 07, 2008 10:37:40

It's going to get dirtier and the whole world will smell it.

report abuse

disagree 2

agree 8

Votes: +6

...
written by ahmadneil, October 07, 2008 11:13:13

This morning I saw the handcuff is a bit loose but still with the dark circle round his eyes,RPK must have been harressed through out the night to prevent him from sleeping so as to deprive him of having good memory.

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 4

Votes: +3

...
written by fergie, October 07, 2008 11:18:39

Of course RPK is NOT GUILTY of sedition!!! Has a thorough investigation been done on the "supposedly" involved before RPK is accused of sedition? RPK is only fighting for justice for the deceased, who is unable to speak. Absolute abuse of power!!!!

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 5

Votes: +5

...
written by Alice, October 07, 2008 11:24:48

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT RPK IS INNOCENT AND HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH. THE JUDGES KNOW
THE LAWYERS KNOW, THE BAR COUNCIL PEOPLE KNOW, THE PM KNOWS, THE DPM KNOWS AND MOST OF ALL ROSMAH MANSOR KNOWSSSSSSS

THE BEST PART IS NO ONE CAN FOOL GOD SO WE WAIT AND SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

LETS PRAY THAT JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL AND RPK WILL BE HONOURED

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 14

Votes: +14

...
written by mountainking, October 07, 2008 15:49:27

ok. did not go to support on monday and today as i'm not too informed about the whole thing. was busy with some internal work ...

i will be there tomorrow during lunch hours.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 2

Votes: +2

Write comment

This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Order T-Shirt Now!

T-Shirt Pick-up Point

SUPPORT RPK

RPK: Lost Freedom

56 days 2 hours 10 mins
(12Sep2008 13:10 to 07Nov2008 15:20)

Blog Section

From Around The Blogs

The Corridors of Power

Latest Updates

MToday Archive

Archive 2007

- Archive 2008 -

The Corridors of Power

From Around The Blogs

The Corridors of Power

No Holds Barred

Special Reports

From Around The Blogs

URL Ads

World Futures Afghanistan is where Nato and the US are killing civilians indiscriminately. Is there a need to protest against such killings? Are YOU not concerned and don't you think you might be next?

Global Media Channel A leading alternative media channel with more alternative ways of presenting freedom of speech and real facts that the prime media won't dare publish.

Future Fastforward A controversial analysis by a controversial analyst, Matthias Chang, the lawyer-writer who unabashedly calls a spade a spade and offers no apology for doing so.

Wellness Industry Is Booming! Learn how you too can own a low capital home-based business to generate extra supplemental stream of income by using internet for these challenging economic times. You may earn RM1K up to RM10K a month working only 5-10hrs/week. Full system provided.

Home Based Business Earn extra income $5000-$10,000 monthly, 24 hours a day. Just working part/full time from the comfort of your home. Legitimate business, have a most powerful product in the world. Register for FREE first to save your position in this powerful system.

Berita & Komentar

News & Commentaries

Antara Kita

Dari Jelebu

Letters/Surat

Some Images Hosted With

Thank You ImageShack!