Raja Petra Kamaruddin on Sedition Trial

Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin's sedition trial is postponed to November 10-12. 10 to 13 witnesses will testify when the trial resume in November. Raja Petra tells reporters that he now received better meal treatment and is due for a medical check up for his spinal condition.

Raja Petra was charged with sedition on 6 May 2008 after a investigative officer,Gan Tack Guan filed a police report against Raja Petra for posting an article that suggested the Prime Minister Najib Razak, and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were responsible for the murder of a young Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu. Gan called part of the posting "untrue and made up" Both the Prime Minister and his wife denied the allegations. According to Associate Press, two policeman are accused of killing the woman and destroying the body with explosives. The prosecution contends that Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Najib, ordered the killing of Shaariibuu because she pestered him for money after he ended an affair.

He was charged under the 1948 Sedition Act which punishes “incitement to hatred, suspicion or contempt for any leader or government member.” If convicted, RPK could face up to three year of prison.

Raja Petra refused to post bail and was taken to prison in Sungai Buloh the next day. Shortly after, he was released on bail because he reported being threatened by two policemen involved in the Alantuya case. He told RSF that police released him because they could not guarantee his safety in the facility.

On September 12 this year, he was arrested under section 73 (1) of the Internal Security Act (ISA)for acting as "a threat to 'security, peace and public order.'" Raja Petra is ordered to serve two years detention at Kamunting under the ISA, a draconian law that warrant detention without trial. Raja Petra has been in prison since than.

Widely popular in Malaysia, RPK is known and loved by many of his supporters for his continuous effort to expose corruptions and government scandals. Throughout the hearing, Raja Petra's friends, family and supporters were present and showed support by wearing t-shirt that bear slogans such as "free RPK" and "No to ISA"

A candle light vigil was held on October 12 to show support for RPK and other detainee under ISA. A petition urging the Malaysian government to free ISA detainee has also been circulating online and gathering signature from supporters.

His struggle with the Malaysia government go all the way back. I have done a feature on him back in 2007 when he was detained and question for comments on his blog , MalaysiaToday, that are allegedly insulting to the King and Islam. Saying that he had no control to those comments, the police pressed on for the identity of his readers. Though eventually released, he told me that the government want to silence him using the ISA.

Time Line:

April 25: Posted article "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell."

April 30: Gan filed police report against Raja Petra

May 2 Investigated for Sedition Act over "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell."

May 6 Raja Petra charged with Sedition

May 7 Raja Petra taken to prison for Sedition

May 10 Raja Petra said he was threatened in prison

July 17 raja Petra charged with three counts of criminal defamation

August 16 Raja Petra refuses to enter plea

August 22 Police raided Raja Petra's home

August 28 ISP ordered to cut access to Malaysia Today

September 12 Raja Petra arrested under ISA

September 23 Raja Petra Kamarudin begins two-year detention under ISA at Kamunting

October 3 Raja Petra Cant stomach smelly Kamunting food

October 6 Raja petra's sedition trial started

October 13 Raja Petra receieve better food and trial postponed

November 10 Sedition trial continues