Malaysiakini reports, here, that Malaysia Today news portal webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin was today charged under Section 4(1) (c) of the the Sedition Act, a rather repressive law introduced by the British in 1948, at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court over an article, "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell" which he wrote recently. He is the first Malaysian blogger to be charged under this Act and has thus become a legend of sorts.The article allegedly implied that deputy prime minister Najib and his wife Rosmah were involved in the killing of a young Mongolian woman named Altantuya who was blown to pieces with military C4 explosives by police personnel. The murder trial is currently ongoing at the Shah Alam High Court.
Earlier, Raja Petra was given the runaround when he reported as instructed at 08.30 a.m. at the KL Magistrate's Court when he received a phone call from the police at about 10.20 a.m. asking him to go to the PJ court instead. He has claimed trial, set for October 6 2008, but refused to pay bail of RM5000 as a matter of principle on a claim that he is a victim of "political persecution". Plans are already afoot to initiate a public fund-raising “Save RPK Campaign” at RM1 per person to raise enough money for posting bail.
A draconian law like the Sedition Act clearly has no place in a democratic society. Unlike defamation law, one cannot defend oneself from a charge of sedition on the ground of truthfulness. That the State has chosen to charge RPK for sedition rather than simple criminal defamation points to the need for a thorough revision of our media laws as demanded by a civil society.
I find it ludicrous that although 'Pete' has written many allegations against the IGP, the police, the AG, and also about the Khairy Chronicles, SCOMI and the PM's son Kamaluddin etc., he has never been charged with sedition or even libel. But when he writes an article about Najib and Rosmah, in which he has raised several pertinent questions on facts of the case already within public domain and backed by sworn court testimonies, he gets the book thrown at him.
These are without doubt tactics of intimidation and fear, but we Bugis are a hardy lot. May Allah give RPK courage. Truth and Justice may yet prevail.
(Poster courtesy Mob's Crib)
capt
ReplyDeletefor once i disagree with you. no, its not may. i am sure justice and truth will and not may prevail.
RPK, for whatever his shortcomings, is a good man in his heart. he means no malice but he will stand for TRUTH even if it means going behind bars. I SALUTE HIM.
A very, very brave man indeed. But knowing Pete I am very sure that the old fox has a trick or two up his sleeves. You can't teach an old fox new tricks. I really do not think R and N have got themselves into!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo get yo Pete!!
Ravi, Doha
capt., in the kopitiam, i heard that RPK had truned the table on behalf of the Rulers again general democratic process in the country. my arguement is that we need a balance of the 3 pillars to ensure that this country is well run to the good of all malaysians.
ReplyDeleteSay what you may, this RAJA is one of its kind! People may accuse him telling tall tales but if the tales are so tall, why don't those implicated sue him in court? Why use other means to silent him? we need some openness to ensure the country remains on even keel.
"I find it ludicrous that although 'Pete' has written many allegations against the IGP, the police, the AG, and also about the Khairy Chronicles, SCOMI and the PM's son Kamaluddin etc., he has never been charged with sedition or even libel. But when he writes an article about Najib and Rosmah, in which he has raised several pertinent questions on facts of the case already within public domain and backed by sworn court testimonies, he gets the book thrown at him."
ReplyDeleteI've seen this being said in a handful of blogs too. And there is something to trhink about really.... Based on what I gather, we can stop pointing the fingers at AAB for doing this... Because, well... if AAB wanted to cover himself, RPK should also be charged for the other "seditious" articles that involved AAB's name? But just for a mere mention of najib and RPK's already being charged? hmm.......
capt., i wod like to change the topic. With regard to issue of toll, it wod certainly appear that the BN is working in hand in glove with the toll operators, otherwise why is the PDRM working so hard to enforce the dispute at Cheras? To prevent raayat from knowing the truth, OSA is deployed! The RAAYAT are 'enslaved' through this worse than our colonial master style of Gomen! Just b4 the 12GE, Sami said noway, the tolls could be reviewed , but with Zain, he is reviewing them!!! One can only conclude that it is a game only SHYSTERS can plan and put circles around the raayat! It is hoped that The PR State Gomen can start planning many more road diversion using state land to bild stategic state roads to connect 'vital' junctions to obercome these scampS!
ReplyDeleteI don't get it. when RPK writes about AAB and all the hanky panky that's going on about other ministers, he gets away with it. so how come when RPK writes about najib he is immediately thrown behind bars? i don't know but i really can't help feeling that there is something fishy going on around here.
ReplyDeletecapt, just look at the picture RPK has posted! I didn't meet her b4!!!!
ReplyDeletei wonder if RPK has got a series of those shots taken?