Raja Petra is being charged in a PJ court this morning under the Sedition Act.
His blogsite, one of the most popular if not the most popular, has been posting ‘inside ‘ news to Malaysian bloggers. Many of what he posted or predicted have been proven true, such as his prediction that opposition would win about 80 seats and 5 states. Some have remained hearsay. We are still waiting to see whether his prediction of some BN MPs crossing over will become true.
We need more space in expressing our views. Even Ku Li, former financeminister from UMNO, realises this and in the Star today, he was quoted to say that:
“The Barisan Nasional Government must do away with draconian laws to make Malaysia a “true people-friendly nation,”
“it was time for the Government to also review those laws related to printing and publications towards giving more freedom to the press.”
“We are no longer fighting the communist rebels and any draconian law, including those that restrict the press, should be reviewed.”
Not only doing away the draconian laws, including the ISA , but the government must be seen to be magnanimous, tolerant of criticism, tolerant of dissenting opinion. Why not let a hundred flowers bloom? Only with more openness, freer discussion and exchange of views can new ideas be formed and new concepts developed. That is how the West has progressed so fast over the last 150 years.
Although I enjoy reading RPK’s writings (i go to his blog almost evryday), I , for one, do not believe everything that RPK said and do not agree with some of his views. But there are many good articles that he has posted. And as a principle of freedom of speech, I think he has the right to blog according to his belief, and I think he has done a great service to the nation in being vocal about a lot of things such as corruptions and abuse of power.
His exposure of many cases of bad governance would not have endeared him to those mentioned, but in the first place, if everyone practises good governance, then there is really no worry about being exposed.
The best way to deal with criticism is to ironically allow criticism to improve your way of doing things. All humans are fallible; only those who learn from their fallibility and improve would become endeared to the common people.
I would not want to comment on his case, or the case that landed him in trouble, since one is presently going through a trial and another one will be tried soon as RPK has claimed trial.
But I would appeal to the power that be to be more tolerant and open to criticism. The best ways to answer to insinuations is to be transparent, and if satisfactory answers can be given to queries that are going round the blogs, I think the people are sensible enough to accept what is hearsay and what is truth.
Drop the charge against RPK, otherwise you may find that there are many who would walk with him.
(For this post, i would like to warn my commentators to be careful of what they post! Please do not insinuate anyone when posting. Thank you.)
Dr. Hsu's forum 
May 06, 2008 @ 15:34:58
Reproduced from my posting in Malaysia-Today :-
Dear RPK,
Whilst I may not agree with what you say half the time, I respect your right to say them.
Thank you for standing up to those who would use the PDRM and Courts of Justice for their own ends.
Take heart that there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Malaysians willing you on to succeed.
I hope my little contribution helps in some way.
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May 06, 2008 @ 17:40:07
I’d always thought that for Malaysia to improve, we need a Martin Luther King.
We have it in Raja Petra & I respect him more because he is a Malay sacrificing himself to wake us all up.
Listen to his call. Do we need more “kezaliman”? Or we want more Malaysian to die first?
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May 06, 2008 @ 17:58:01
Dear Dr. Hsu, I have been logging onto your blog recently and have observed that your writings are measured and intellectual. Well done and keep up the good work. RPK is another blogger altogether. His writings are orginal, provocative, cuts across racial, ethnic, religious divides. I dare say, MT did its part to raise everyone’s consciousness about the rotten state of our Nation. As a common rakyat, I salute him and wish him all my support. He rejected his bail for a cause. I too contributed like so many others. He will be out soon to fight the cause. Life in Malaysia is so interesting!!!
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May 06, 2008 @ 18:08:45
RPK is in jail….refusing to pay the RM5000 bail. Ofcourse..he pleaded not guilty. He is in Sungai Buloh jail…….and his case will be around Oct.
Around 100 was there….supporting him. Many high ranking People’s Party guys…..including Lim Kit Siang …was there.
Previously papers were targeted…..talking nonsense about the government.
Now are bloggers.
I told guys …who ask me to go…I said … election is over. As much as I admire RPK..his guts…..he did say alot of things. Now he needs to prove they are true….or face the consequences…..as simple as that.
If there is a walk….for Malaysia and Malaysians…like to free the 5 ISA detainees…..I will want to walk and support.
I am sure…RPK..will somehow…be release with a bail….paid by supporters….or a kind samaritan…..or even DAP.
Meanwhile….let pray for his good health and hope he has high cheerful spirit. I think he hero worship….Mahatma Gandhi…refusing to pay bail…and go to jail. That way…he is infect….saying …..he is not guilty.
By paying the bail…is somewhat……indirectly saying he accepts the said charges…made by the police…and he gives them…the benefits of the doubt. By not paying the bail…plain and simple…he is saying….the police and court are 100% wrong….to charge him.
God bless this brave Malaysian.
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May 06, 2008 @ 20:25:09
Truth will prevail, ultimately.
There is a saying in Cantonese’ Tin Yao Ngan’ which means ‘Sky has eyes’.
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May 06, 2008 @ 20:29:50
Hi Nick, thank you for you comment and hope you can give us your opinion whenever u visit.
Life is indeed very interesting, and MT is one of the reasons we are beginning to have a 2 party system now.
I hope RPK will be alright, and be able to continue with what he has been doing all this while.
…………………………..
A True Malaysian, indeed sky has eyes. There is also such a thing called karma. I beleive in what goes round comes around. Truth will indeed prevail in the end.
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May 06, 2008 @ 21:40:03
dun worry RPK , Altantuya’s soul will send the murderers (whoever they are) to hell . We’ll live to watch that with joy !
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May 06, 2008 @ 21:58:24
i dont know what you define by ‘insinuate’ but i’m just wondering how come when RPK burns Pak Lah, he doesn’t get thrown into jail but once Najib is mentioned, he is placed behind bars? i am confused – can someone help me out here?
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May 06, 2008 @ 22:49:12
What we need is transparency and fairness with responsiblity?
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May 06, 2008 @ 22:54:05
Dear Clarisse Yap,
If you believe in conspiracy theories, there’s a belief that there is more than meets the eye with regards RPK’s charge under the Sedition Act.
Now I’m not insinuating anything here but the theorists are suggesting that any move against RPK will be seen as ‘initiated’ by the DPM and will put him in a bad light. They say even the DPM is not so foolish as that!
Which brings us back to “who authorized this action against RPK?”
Who stands to gain most from the DPM’s fall from grace?
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May 06, 2008 @ 22:58:14
Just spent the last hour reading all the 300+ posts concerning this issue in Malaysia-Today.
2 particular postings caught my attention.
“”Does it mean not a single Barisan/UMNO/MCA/MIC/Gerakan member was there? Don’t they stand up for justice?” Mr Smith
I agree, if MCA, Gerakan has an iota of pride to redeem, this is the time.
Mr Smith, don’t even mention MIC and UMNO. They are proud to condemn and ignore their own supporters.”
——————————————————–
“In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up.”
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May 06, 2008 @ 23:09:42
The charge of Raja Petra under the Sedition Act was indeed shocking but not unexpected as this is not something new. The draconian Act is an out-dated statute and incompatible with our modern democratic society. Unarguably the fact that our basic fundamental liberties enshrined in the Constitution is violated. Unless what committed by Raja was objectively considered as a real threat or has caused hatred among the citizens, it is without any elements of crime, thus he is unlikely to be found guilty of any conviction of criminal offence. In any event, I hope this will not deter you and people of right mind and integrity to speak up. Arios!
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May 06, 2008 @ 23:48:29
Clarisse Yap…I like to give you my own opinion.
Abdullah Badawi….our PM…. mild in nature… cultured clean politician. He is also qualified to be an Iman..a religious teacher…if he chooses to do so.
So much have been said by Mahathir on him..for 5 years..and he responded….onle when out of.. no choice. ..but if he can….he likes to ignore and keep silent…practicing …a religious attitude.
So what is RPK insults or accusations on him….compared to Mahathir?
But Najib….is not all saint. He is welknown to do or talk anything….to his advantages..and to protect himself. He is also a welknown lover boy.That’s why…he can never be a good PM…a very very selfish cunning man.
And usually…..when one with so much power…feeling guilty… will do anything and everything…to protect himself. So go ..conclude sensibly… the rest.
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May 06, 2008 @ 23:52:37
That’s for woman …wearing transparent clothing…revealing so much….that she must be fair and responsible like…not to tempt one like you….pohwatchdog…into a frenzy mood…talking cock.
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May 07, 2008 @ 00:48:41
more excitement ahead…this is 1st salvo..when the ship sinks rats come out….am wondering mca , gerakan , pp mic heads must be swinging left or right…either they stand up or perish that big brother mentality is a bondage over them..i think gerakan has less of it..no point one guy speak it shld be nationwide ..branches passing resolution..get yr members involved people power ! taht gather momemtum..
kick ass now ..or else these jokers will recover…u beat them once do it gain and again,break that will ! then fear will creep ,next time think before u talk..
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May 07, 2008 @ 00:55:22
another sedition act target, not something new, welcome to “bolehland”. The UMNOputra way -perfect “Democracy”.
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May 07, 2008 @ 07:42:04
RPK is calling his readers to send the murderers to “hell”, which obviously does not sit well with some high level umnoputra personalities. His article has raise some eye brows and possibly pave a way for a fair trial, it is time to silent him with ISA.
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May 07, 2008 @ 09:28:27
This comment is from Petestop, which I have accidentally deleted when I delete monsterball’s duplicate comment, as per his request. Apologies to Petestop, but I will repost it here:
From Petestop :
Thanks to UMNO’s vindictive action, despite the strong GE-12 message (obviously they still did’nt get it, despite Pak Lah saying so… but still… UMNO looks like on auto-pilot to destruction… Pak Lah is sleeping at the helm)…. Gerakan is history..
Simply put, we’re NOT stupid and can see through all this, despite the Barisan Najis spin on the MSM.
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May 07, 2008 @ 10:41:39
In regard to clarisse yap’s post. Yes. I think maybe we can “imply” that njb is the bad guy in this case. I dont really see Pak Lah’s benefit from all this. Njb is so afraid that the *truth* (whatever it is he is erm, hidin) will come out. And now that RPK is saying “HE HAS PROOF”, nj should be really really scared.
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May 07, 2008 @ 18:07:10
Right now….RPK refused to see his wife….refused bail out..and is hunger strikes …in jail.
Charged under Sedation Act..is very loose. Guilty….just a small fine….yet this is such an important issue….why not make the charge….to get Najib and wife….out to defend themselves?
Only this way….I think …RPK will reveal his proofs. He is not stupid.
Just like the timing of the Lingam case….I think proofs are kept for right time to reveal.
If no proof…PRK’s reputations….will go down the drain. Like Jeff Ooi said….RPK must be responsible for ..what he ha written..
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