MALAYSIA

[Update on Rapid Action: 9/29/08]

International PEN welcomes the November 7, 2008 release of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of the web site Malaysia Today,after a high court judge ruled that his detention was illegal. Raja Petra was sentenced without trial to two years in prison on September 22, 2008 under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for his critical writings published online. However, PEN remains concerned that Raja Petra still faces sedition charges for his writings in a separate case, and continues to call for these charges to be dropped in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

>> Read PEN's letter of appeal

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
According to PEN’s information, Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested on September 12, 2008 for allegedly “insulting Islam” and publishing articles on his web site which “tarnished the country's leadership to the point of causing confusion among the people.” He filed a habeas corpus application at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on September 16, 2008, seeking his release from detention, but on September 22, 2008, in a move thought to counteract Kamaruddin's probable release of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the Malaysian Interior Minister Syed Hamid Albar signed an order to remand him in custody for up to two years under section 8 of the ISA. On November 7, 2008, the high court in Shah Alam ruled that the Interior Minister had overstepped his authority in ordering the detention of Raja Petra, and he was immediately released.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin still faces sedition charges for an article he published on his web site on April 22, 2008, which implicates senior ruling party leaders in the 2006 murder of a Mongolian woman. The trial began on August 15 2008 and is ongoing.

Raja Petra reportedly started the Malaysia Today web site and his blog to facilitate open discussion on Malaysia's political and social scenes. In his online writings, he is known for his outspoken criticisms of the government and his advocacy of transparency, accountability and justice in the Malaysian political system.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS...

•  Welcoming the release of Internet writer Raja Petra Kamarrudin, but expressing concern that he still faces sedition charges solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions;

•  Calling for all charges against Internet writer Raja Petra Kamarrudin to be dropped in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
SEND APPEALS TO...
Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Ministers Department
Federal Government Administration Centre
Bangunan Perdana Putra
62502 Putrajaya
Malaysia
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
E-mail: ppm@pmo.gov.my

Attorney General
Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
Attorney General’s Chambers
Level 1-8, Block C3 & Level 2, Block C7
Federal Government Administrative centre
62512 Wp Putrajaya
Fax: +60 3 888 9378
Email: pro@agc.gov.my

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Malaysia in your country if possible, asking for their comments.

Please check with PEN if sending appeals after December 15, 2008: ftw@pen.org

Messages of support can be sent to Raja Petra at labisman@yahoo.com

RELATED LINKS

>> Rapid Action: 9/29/08