Raja Petra charged with sedition
| Malaysiakini.com |
| May 6, 08 10:40am |
|
Malaysia Today news portal webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin was today charged with sedition at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court over an article which he wrote in his website. The article allegedly implied that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife were involved in the killing of a young Mongolian woman. Raja Petra claimed trial to the charge. He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act for publishing seditious article on April 25 on Malaysia Today. If found guilty, Raja Petra could be jailed for a maximum of three years and/or face a fine of up to RM5,000. The chargesheet also highlighted nine paragraphs of the article which was titled “Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell” as seditious. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nordin Hassan is prosecuting while Raja Petra was represented by a team of six lawyers led by Karpal Singh. Earlier this morning Raja Petra was asked to present himself at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court to face the sedition charge. He had been waiting to be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court when he received a telephone call from the police at about 10.20am asking him to go to the PJ court instead. Late yesterday the popular webmaster was ordered to surrender at the Jalan Duta court complex at 9.30am this morning to face a sedition charge.
“I knew this was coming. They are going to find ways and excuses to charge me but these are stupid excuses,” he said. “Once they charge me, we will show that there is no evidence against me,” he added. He said that he was aware of a call made by an Umno leader from Petaling Jaya (Utara) about three weeks ago that “they should find ways to arrest me”. News about Raja Petra’s case spread like a wild fire last night and this morning a large crowd had gathered at the court complex to show support for him. Also present were DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Ronnie Liu as well as Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar. Last Friday, Raja Petra was called in by the police to have his statement recorded over an Internet posting two weeks ago pertaining to the murder case of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian national. On April 25, Raja Petra posted the article titled ‘Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell’ on his blog, Malaysia Today. The posting implicated Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor in the high-profile case. Najib subsequently issued a denial through his press secretary Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, whereas Rosmah has also denied the allegations against her. The Altantunya murder trial is currently ongoing at the Shah Alam. [Full report to follow] |
Talking to reporters at the Jalan Duta court complex this morning, Raja Petra said that he was a victim of political persecution.11 Comments »
Leave a Reply
-
Hubungi Kami:
Pusat Khidmat Parlimen Kuantan A137, Tingkat 1, Jalan Beserah 25300 Kuantan, Pahang +6095137970 +60192602838 pusatkhidmatkeadilan@yahoo.com .
Malaysian politics
Malaysiakini.com- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
- Suara Keadilan Online
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
Fuziah Salleh 
I understand that he REFUSED to pay his bail amounting RM5,000 while waiting his “case” to be heard in Oct 2008- so where is RPK now, anyone?
Comment by khalid al-walid | May 6, 2008
LATEST – RPK jailed in Sg Buloh Prison. His preferences.
Comment by khalid al-walid | May 6, 2008
well, he wrote that article making some allegations which i’m thinking where does this guy get his resources from anyway? So now he’s refusing bail and opting to stay in jail instead? Heck, whatever point he’s trying to make, let him. He’s a big man now, and he should be responsible for his actions.
Comment by sandyow | May 6, 2008
The money will be paid by the public who have already posted some 40,000 RM to his new account within today. Then he will come out.
Comment by Joyce | May 6, 2008
Dear sandyow,
Please take your head out from the sand. You’re missing not just his point but the entire picture, my dear. This is not just about a writer. This is a strong statement from the government that they will not condone any criticism made against them. This is a step backwards for us Malaysians who continue to live under a dictatorial leadership. Where is our freedom of speech? Where is our freedom of press? Where is our human rights? Not within our shores, that’s for sure.
Comment by Malaysian | May 6, 2008
written by FFT, May 06, 2008 | 06:53:00
He wrote about allegations against the IGP, the PDRM, and the AG. No sedition charge.
He wrote about Khairy in the Chronicles. No sedition charge.
He wrote about Badawi’s many alleged scandals. No sedition charge.
He wrote about SCOMI and Kamaluddin. No sedition charge.
He writes a tame article about Najib and Rosmah, that too backed by information revealed in sworn court testimony, and the sedition act is thrown at him.
That should instruct you as to who is the heart of darkness and a harbinger of the return to the dark ages of Mahathirism.
It is patently obvious that Badawi and cohorts, despite their faults and weaknesses, have a progressive open streak that places them relatively light years ahead of the Dark Lords of Mahathirism.
As Hishamuddin Rais’ earlier article states “Najib Pembawa Zaman Gelap”.
Comment by Maslinah | May 6, 2008
I agree that we have a freedom of speech, but we got to becareful with what we claim it for.
I too have seen the post by Maslinah. So then if what RPK is claim is false? the how does freedom of speech implies here. Freedom to bullshit?
Comment by shawn | May 7, 2008
If you are under TENSION, what sorts of words do you used?
Look guys, WE, the Rakyat is the victim (unless you’re immune with tortures). They have got all the mighties & what have we? Yeah ofcoz, we have the VOTING POWER, but while waiting for PRU-13 to come … and have little bits of CURSING POWER to play around in creative manner.
Despite of seeing these people wearing expensive clothes, driving hi-class transportation, staying at 5-star hotels … the way I look at these people is like a walking BASTARDs. Own no respect. Advise me if I need to do eyes correction. You know what I mean?
PS – HELL is a bit sensational word lately, so I prefer not using it. :->
Comment by khalid al-walid | May 7, 2008
I am publishing the question that I hope will be asked in Parliament because Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali had abused her powers and I hope to come to KL to confront her. I know that I will be charged like RPK, but I need to put right that Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali had not effectively achieved the striking out of Petition. My wife’s petition in the circumstances is still ACTIVE and need to be tried in court.
QUESTIONS FOR PARLIAMENTRY QUESTION TIME
I refer to the High Court at Kuala Lumpur Originating Petition No. D2-26-41 OF 2001 ; Lim Choi Yin v. McLaren Saksama (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd and to the adjudicating Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali, of said Petition. According to CHARGES made by one Yap Chong Yee husband of Petitioner Lim Choi Yin, Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali had 1st approved all 6 Respondents’ application for security for costs in the sum of Rm.60,000 and upon payment of said security for costs of said Rm.60,000, Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali followed up the receipt of said Rm.60,000 by the approval to Respondent Stephen Lim Cheng Ban a 2nd and subsequent application by Respondent Stephen Lim Cheng Ban for an Order to strike out said Petition.
The second and subsequent Application for an order to strike out said Petition was made even without there being any court order for the SETTING ASIDE of the 1st order for securing said Rm/60,000 for security for costs pursuant to the 1st order made by Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali. That being the facts of the case my question directed to the attention of the Malaysian Attorney General Tan Seri……. Are the following :
(1)Was not the conduct of Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali’s approval of Mr Stephen Lim Cheng Ban’s 2nd and subsequent application to strike out said Petition, while the said cash of Rm60,000 security for costs was still held in the hands of all 6 respondents to the petition, pursuant to the order made by Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali to petitioner to provide security for costs constitute ABUSE OF POWER ?
Will the Attorney General investigate Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali for the criminal charge of ABUSE OF POWER & MALFEASANCE and will the Attorney General, if upon investigation find that sufficient evidence exist to support a criminal Charge against Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali for abuse of power and/or FOR MALFEASANCE proceed to lay criminal charges against Judge Zainon for a criminal prosecution ?
(2)Is it not the case that while Respondent Stephen Lim Cheng Ban and the other 5 respondents hold on to the security for costs pursuant to Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali’s order to Petitioner to provide security for costs and in the absence of any Order to set aside the 1st Order for security for costs, the conduct of Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali together with the conduct of the 6 respondents IN TAKING AND KEEPING SAID RM.60,000 not amount to committing the criminal offence of obtaining money under false pretences ? And further, do the facts not indicate that Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali together with the 6 respondents had acted with a common intention to induce Petitioner to pay said Rm.60,000 while not intending that upon payment of said Rm.60,000 THERE WILL BE A COURT TRIAL OF SAID PETITION ? The being the case do the facts not constitute a conspiracy to obtain money under false pretences ? The facts speak for themselves as an investigation will prove.
Will the Attorney General investigate said 2 police reports and if the investigation give up facts that will support criminal charges against the said parties, will the Attorney General lay criminal charges against such persons ?
Petitioner’s husband Yap Chong Yee had formally filed 2 police reports at the Balai Polis Jln. Tun H S Lee, in the first police report Yap Chong Yee had CHARGED the respondents Stephen Lim Cheng Ban, Wong Kem Chen and Kwong Sea Yoon with PERJURY, for having lied in their supporting affidavits applying for security for costs.
In the second police report Yap Chong Yee had Charged Stephen Lim Cheng Ban with FORGERY, PERJURY AND FABRICATION OF EVIDENCE, contained in his supporting affidavits applying for leave to strike out said petition.
Both police reports were annexed to Petitioner’s affidavits as exhibits supporting Petitioner’s application for leave to cross examine said 3 respondents for PERJURY & FORGERY and both of Petitioner’s applications were refused leave to cross examine said Respondents, by Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali. The refusal by Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali to allow Petitioner leave to cross examine Respondent Stephen Lim and made in the face of the existence of 2 FORMAL POLICE REPORTS THAT CHARGED STEPHEN LIM CHENG BAN with Perjury & forgery constitutes the charge of MALFEASANCE, AIDING & ABETTING Stephen Lim Cheng Ban to commit the criminal offences of PERJURY & FORGERY.
Will the Attorney General investigate these criminal charges that are made against Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali and if sufficient evidence is uncovered that will support criminal charges, will the Attorney General prefer criminal charges against Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali; will the attorney General formally charge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali with the said criminal offences ?
Comment by yapchongyee | May 7, 2008
RPK REFUSED to pay his bail amounting RM5,000 but choose the Sg Buloh jailed instead. What a heroic decision. So smart heh? 🙂 Later, whoever come out to defend him will be the national hero too.
Comment by Maslinah | May 7, 2008
I speak on behalf of the non malay youths of Kuantan. We will drive down all the way if there is any need for manpower for candle vigil or peaceful demonstration on the street. We are not afraid of the jail cells. Most of us have gone in and out of it. So what more if its just a few days. We will fight and stand for righteousness!
Let’s all help God send Altantuya murderer’s to Hell!
Comment by Manusia | May 8, 2008