Malaysia Charges Blogger for Sedition

Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin Outside the Courthouse - International Herald Tribune

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysian authorities have charged a prominent Malaysian blogger, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin, for sedition in connection to his online reports alleging that the Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is involved in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin pleaded innocent to the charges although he does not refute that he authored the article. He told reporters that he should have the right to hold government officials responsible for their wrongdoings.

Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin said he was not worried about the sedition charge, suggesting he had evidence for his article. He said, “I am happy. We bloggers have declared war on the government. We are not scared of the government. The government should be scared of us. Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin added, “Is it seditious to influence people against corrupt leaders?"

In Malaysia, bloggers provide anti-government commentaries. They present themselves as a replacement for mainstream media, which is controlled by Malaysia’s political parties. Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin and his online blog is quite popular. Dozens of dissidents and bloggers gathered outside the courthouse to show their support.

The charges against Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin stem from an article he wrote on his blog Malaysia Today, which was entitled “Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell.”  Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin implies that the deputy prime minister and his wife were involved in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Two policemen, Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, are presently in the midst of a trial where they are charged for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu. The prosecution alleges that the policemen killed Altantuya Shaariibuu and then destroyed her body with explosives in the jungle.

Abdul Razak Baginda, a close friend of the deputy prime minister, is charged with abetting the murder. Abdul Razak Baginda is associated with the case because prosecutors allege he ordered the murder after Altantuya Shaariibuu pestered him for money after he ended their affair.

Days after his jailing, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin was released because authorities could not ensure his safety while in prison. While in prison, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin was put into the same cell block as the two policemen that are charged and being prosecuted for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu. When he arrived, the two policemen shouted at him, threatening his life and blaming him for bringing attention to the trial again.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – Malaysian Blogger Charged with Sedition – 6 May 2008

International Herald Tribune – Malaysian Blogger Jailed for Article – 6 May 2008

Malaysia Star – Raja Petra: I Was Threatened  – 10 May 2008

Reporters Without Borders – Online Newspaper Editor Freed on Bail, Pending Trial on Sedition Charges – 9 May 2008