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Monday, 7 September 2009

RPK strikes back with videos

By Leslie Lau - The Malaysian Insider
Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 – Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin is taking his fight to the government with a series of video interviews that are expected to be posted on the Internet from this Thursday.

His popular Malaysia Today website began airing a trailer yesterday to promote the video interviews. In the short trailer, RPK, as he is popularly known, is shown talking about what he claims is government persecution against him.

“They already decided on my crime and the punishment I am getting without investigations,” he is shown saying.

He also comments on the continuing debate about Islam. He says in the trailer: “Muslims are the biggest enemies of Islam, not the kafir (infidels).”

The Malaysian Insider understands that the interview lasts for up to two hours, but is likely to have been edited down into a number of shorter segments.

It is unclear where the video interviews were recorded. RPK’s whereabouts remain a mystery.

Malaysian police are seeking the help of Interpol to apprehend him, suggesting the authorities believe he is overseas.

RPK went on the lam in April when he failed to turn up for his sedition trial. There is also a second warrant of arrest issued against him for failing to turn up for his criminal defamation trial in May.

Despite being a fugitive, RPK continues to taunt the authorities and remains a thorn in the side of the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Both his sedition and criminal defamation trials are related to his allegations that Najib was involved in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, the former mistress of the prime minister’s associate.

RPK continues to write regularly on his Malaysia Today website, giving his take on political developments and criticising the police and the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

According to a news report in May, police said they believed RPK was in Brisbane, Australia, together with his wife.

But in July, a Sessions Court was told that RPK was believed to be in the country and not in Australia as reported by the media.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said police investigation revealed that RPK, 59, had never left the country.

It is unclear if the video interviews will offer any clues as to RPK’s whereabouts.

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