Cops zero in on RPK

(NST) - Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s location has been confirmed by Malaysian police.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the Malaysia Today website editor, popularly known as RPK, was currently hiding in London.

“Our intelligence reports have confirmed that RPK is in London, but we have yet to confirm his exact location,” he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.

However, Musa said he could not verify if Raja Petra was staying at the posh Trinity Court apartment in Gloucester, Bayswater, in London, as reported by the media.

He said Malaysian police have sought the help of their British counterparts to bring Raja Petra back.

“The British courts might call for an inquiry and request the relevant documentation to support the extradition process before making a decision,” Musa said, adding that the police were also working with the Attorney-General’s Chambers in preparing the documents.

Musa also advised Raja Petra to return to Malaysia of his own accord.

“If you’re not guilty then come back and defend yourself. Why should you hide in another country?

He is a bankrupt and we believe he must have used a false passport to leave the country,” he said.

On the recent allegation that a person or organisation was sponsoring Raja Petra in London, Musa said police would investigate the claim.

A source familiar with the investigations said there had been no movement of money from Malaysia to Raja Petra’s account.

Raja Petra, 59, disappeared after two arrest warrants were issued against him for failing to attend court in April and May. He had claimed on his website to be in a self-imposed exile.

Since then, rumours in the Malaysian blogosphere have variously pointed at Raja Petra’s location to be in Thailand, Australia and, most recently, the United Kingdom.

Last week, Musa said the government would seek an extradition order for Raja Petra upon confirmation by the British authorities of the wanted blogger’s location in the UK.

In postings in several sociopolitical blogs and media reports over the week, Raja Petra is said to be hiding at the posh Trinity Court apartment in London.

Many blog postings have criticised him for running away from the law and seeking refuge in other countries.

It is learnt that Malaysia does not have an extradition treaty with the UK.

The Malaysian authorities will have to apply for the return of Raja Petra through provisions under the UK law.

Raja Petra, through his Malaysia Today portal, has been attacking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration.

Last year, Raja Petra was detained under the Internal Security Act but he was subsequently freed.