It is with much sadness that the federal government has proven to be what I have always thought them to be, just a bunch of uptights who are out to gag anyone who ever dare say or write a word against them.
So, I was not really all that surprised when they arrested RPK of Malaysia Today and charged him under the Sedition Act. Since the MSM didn’t have the guts, due to the Printing Presses Act, to write the truth and mostly presented embellished truths, the public often referred to online news portals such as Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today.
Looks like the government is now feeling very threatened so they have started this action. A blogger was also charged under this act. I will not be surprised if more bloggers will soon be picked up.
This is an obvious warning to all bloggers and online news portal to toe the line or else face imprisonment.
My only fervent hope is that the Pakatan Rakyat MPs will do something about this. I hope they will do something about the antiquated Sedition Act, Internal Security Act, Printing Presses Act and all those acts meant to suppress, oppress and gag all Malaysians.
What has Malaysia become now but a laughing stock in the world’s eyes? I believe this piece of news will only serve to give an even worse image of Malaysia to other countries. Now, they will think that Malaysia is nothing but a backward country where the people really do live in trees and the legislators are just not so bright.
Sigh…I feel really sad at how things had deteriorated in this country. So much so I am considering migration. The grass may not be greener on the other side but at the very least, there are no such things as ridiculous antiquated acts which allow the government absolute power to throw people in jail without trial or the obvious racism where certain races are being treat like pariahs by the government itself! I am also sure there is no such thing as bloggers and online news portal owners being charged for sedition merely for stating their opinions or the truth on the current state of events.
Taken from Malaysiakini:
| Raja Petra charged, chooses jail over bail |
| Chan Kok Leong | 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. Hearing has been fixed from Oct 6 to 10 and Raja Petra was granted a bail of RM5,000, which he refused to post, deciding instead to remain in custody until the hearing date.
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. Wife stunned Raja Petra’s wife Marina Lee Abdullah was also present in the court today and expressed her shock over her husband’s decision not to post bail. “This is a statement he wants to make. He feels that he has done nothing wrong and we don’t have the funds.
“At the moment, I’m quite stunned by what he has done (not wanting to be bailed), so let me see him tomorrow. And we will take it from there. When asked if their family was prepared for the charge preferred against Raja Petra, Marina said that she would be discussing the matter with her children later today. “I don’t think that anyone is prepared for this. I just called my kids to tell them about this. We’ll go back and have a family gathering to discuss this. She also said that she was disappointed with the manner Raja Petra was treated by the police in the run up of being charged today. “I’m not angry but I’m very disappointed with the way things are done in a hurry. They send us to this court (Jalan Duta) and then push us to the other court (Petaling Jaya). “They send us to this police station and say come tomorrow and then they come to the house to take the computer. And this has happened even today when they want to charge him. “We went there at 8.30am and waited till 11am and they say its not there and tell us to come to PJ Sessions (Court). It’s a circus. It doesn’t look as though they are serious. It’s trumped up charges. As though as everything is done in a hurry. Don’t you think so?” she said. Summoned yesterday
“I knew this was coming,” he said. “This is merely an excuse to arrest me, detain me or charge me. But this excuse is a stupid excuse. “Once they charge me and the trial has been set, we shall point out not only do they have no case but it is absolutely political persecution,” 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.
“Especially since Malaysia Today was the primary source of a lot of unearthing of scandals especially corrupt practices of the leadership and the government. “And it (Malaysia Today) has helped opened the eyes of the nation to what is gong on and what is wrong with the country. It played a huge role in the last elections. Najib’s statement
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. |
He has been taken to the Sungai Buluh prison to be remanded.
“If we do a campaign of RM1 a person and when we raise sufficient funds, we’ll take him out as soon as possible,” she said, referring to a fund-raising campaign initiated in Malaysia Today to raise enough money to post bail for Raja Petra.
Talking to reporters at the Jalan Duta court complex this morning, Raja Petra said that he was a victim of political persecution.
Nurul Izzah said that it was a duty of everyone to come and show their support to Raja Petra.
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.Other bloggers who wrote about this:
- I gave one ringgit, will you, won’t you?
- One Ringgit to fight the system – walk with RPK
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Long life Raja Petra ! They can jail you, beat you, accuse you or even destroy your body, but they can’t take away your spirit to fight for the justice for common folks like us. Thanks for what you have done to malaysian…. and We will support you all the way….
When you do what is right
You’re in for a good fight
You will stay in the light
In truth you never lose sight
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 060508
http://motivationinmotion.blogspot.com/
[Some definitions of 'SEDITION' are posted here.]
Tue. 6th May 2008.
They say we are the children
We don’t know what we say and write
Laws enacted to protect the people
In the multi-racial country
They say we are stupid too
Never know how to differentiate
Passing judgements like they are the lords
We voted them into power in the ring
And they say we are their slaves
We pay our taxes
Yet we aren’t getting our fair exchanges
We are branded ungrateful when we questioned them
These lords we voted into power
They don’t appreciate our sacrifices
When we want our freedom to say
They bring Sedition Act to silent the critics
Telling these people they aren’t allowed to write
Anything against the elite leaders
The laws they passed
The people become the legal slaves
The will to say is controlled
This stifle laws should be knocked off in our radar screen
It has become the thorn in our flesh….
The people will not be cowed
By the power of the elected leaders
Because the truth will let us be free
And the black knights will lose in the rings
The power in the hands of the people
It is them the nation will flow
Into the freedom and take flight
In the world stage we raise our flag
bruce: yes, a majority of Malaysians supports him!
samuel: too bad what you deem right is deemed ‘wrong’ by certain parties but I guess, justice shall prevail..hopefully
caravanserai: yes, I do hope that the black knights will finally lose in the ring
And don’t forget the Hindraf 5. They too deserve a special place in our thoughts.
And where is our friend Semi Value? I thought he is dying for publicity or is he too chicken.
Seems to me when there is nothing important to say he will open his big mouth and when there is something to say he cannot be found.
Hehehe….I am sure after RPK is released, Semi Value will tell Malaysia he ask the gomen not to arrest him !!!