KUALA LUMPUR - A popular Malaysian blogger Monday pleaded not guilty to sedition over an article he wrote that linked the deputy prime minister and his wife to the murder of a Mongolian woman.
Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder of the popular Malaysia Today site which frequently airs criticism of government leaders, has also been held in detention since August under tough internal security laws.
Najib, who is expected to replace Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the country's next leader, has denied any involvement in the 2006 murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Najib's close friend, Abdul Razak Baginda, is on trial for abetting the murder, and two police officers from a unit that guards the prime minister and his deputy have been charged with the killing.
Raja Petra, 58, pleaded not guilty to the sedition charge lodged over an article published in April entitled "Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell."
"I claim trial," a tired-looking Raja Petra told the court.
Lawyers said that Malaysia's Sedition Act, a relic from British colonial times, has historically been used to prevent uprising against the leadership, as well as disharmony among the people.
Raja Petra's wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, said he would not be cowed into silence, and urged the government to abandon its use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for detention without trial.
"He is not giving up. He is not a threat to security. If he has done wrong, charge him in court. Do not detain him under the ISA," she told reporters.
"What's wrong in exposing leaders who indulge in corruption? Are we supposed to remain silent?"
The ISA, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against terrorism suspects.
If convicted of sedition, Raja Petra faces a three-year jail term.
The hearing will continue at least until the end of the week and the court will then decide whether the case goes to trial.
AFP/vm
Channel NewsAsia
06/10/08
PEOPLE'S POWER
If this article is correct; then a just Islamic society would do well to abolish an unjust colonial law. Also, If correct, then a nation that espouses Islam cannot, or should not, impose anti-Islamic laws. In actuality, an argument for minor shirk (blasphemy) in the sense that it is not Islam, but rather a government official that is being attacked by what is said in his blog can be attributed if there is a direct association to being anti-Islamic and defaming a leader of the government. If both are the case, at least make the official charge, bring forth the evidence and seek true justice. Otherwise, show true Islamic nature. However, the first line of the article states that he is going on trial for sedition. Therefore, the other statements seem to be moot. Either way, Malaysia has an opportunity to show the world an example of sound jurisprudence in the form of a pro-Islamic forum. God-willing, may the display of true justice ring out as far from all sides - and let truth and proper jurisprudence resonate with righteousness. 5pillar.wordpress.com
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