PERWI

The new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should answer two questions – has a new Internal Security Act (ISA) detention order been issued against blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and whether a decision had been taken to charge him for treason or equally serious capital offence?

If not, is Najib prepared to make two public commitments that under his premiership, Raja Petra will not be victimized and will not be detained under a fresh ISA detention order and will not be charged for treason or equally serious capital offence for what he had done so far?

Furthermore, is Najib prepared to make the further commitment for the withdrawal of the government’s appeal to the Federal Court against Raja Petra’s release under the ISA in November when the Shah Alam High Court ruled that his ISA detention was illegal.

Raja Petra’s absence from his sedition trial, the issue of a warrant of arrest against him and Raja Petra’s explanation in his news portal, Malaysia Today, of the reasons for his action yesterday have focused national and international spotlight not only on RPK but also on the new Prime Minister and his administration.[more]

"We’re dealing with a new flu virus that constitutes a respiratory epidemic that so far is controllable," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told reporters late Thursday, after huddling with President Felipe Calderón and other top officials. He said the virus had mutated from pigs and had at some point been transmitted to humans.[more]

B. Balendran is just like any other devout Hindu ...

And he actively campaigned for the conservative Islamic party (PAS) during last year's general election.

The 25-year-old engineer has roped in two of his sisters and several friends to join what he says is the best party to govern Malaysia.

Balendran's view: “If PAS takes over Malaysia, I will be very happy because there will be no more corruption and Malaysia will be in a good situation.”

The PAS Supporters' Club for non-Muslims was founded in 2004 with just 100 members, said its founder, Hu Pang Chow.

Its membership was at 10,000 last year, but has surged to 50,000 since the opposition made big gains in the general election and PAS joined the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, he said.[more]

The Election Commission told the DAP that logistical issues were behind the delay in announcing its decision on the Penanti by-election.

EC officials, in their meeting with the DAP two days ago, had informed party leaders that the authorities from the school chosen as the nomination centre had yet to confirm its availability.

Petaling Jaya Utara DAP MP Tony Pua lashed out at the EC, however, for giving the “flimsiest” of excuses which was totally unacceptable.

The EC had initially announced that it would announce its decision on the Penanti by-election known publicly yesterday but had postponed it to Monday despite having held a meeting on Wednesday.

The public was kept in the dark about the reason behind the EC’s decision to postpone the announcement, leading to speculation that the delay was to pander to the wishes of Barisan Nasional (BN).[more]

As yet, there is no proof that Najib is involved but conspiracy theories abound, some which have landed RPK in court over the past two years. His brush with the law also reflects the deep divide over whether there is continued selective prosecution and persecution by the state and the state of the Malaysian judiciary.

Prosecuting RPK in the criminal justice system or holding him under ISA might shut him up but it will not lay to rest the conspiracy theories and rumours that have dogged Najib since 2006. The only way is to clear his name to the Malaysian public, which was even recommended by his patron Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Otherwise, RPK the fugitive will not rest until he sees his version of justice is done. And if RPK does not rest, neither can Najib nor the rest of Malaysia for some time to come.[more]

Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin appears to have gone on the lam after he failed to turn up in court for his sedition trial this morning because of what he says on his blog is a "self-imposed exile" from Selangor.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for the blogger-turn-fugitive and his wife who is his bailor.

In a posting on his blog this morning RPK, as he is better known, claimed that he had decided to become a fugitive to avoid being detained and because of a family feud with the Sultan of Selangor over his views on the Perak constitutional crisis.[more]

After two ISA detentions, I do not plan to allow them to get me so easily the third time around. I also refuse to face treason charges that will result in me being sent to the gallows. I love my life and wish to remain alive a few years longer if possible.

NO HOLDS BARRED