Another arrest warrant out for Raja Petra

(The Star) – KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was slapped with another warrant of arrest after he failed to turn up for his criminal defamation trial at a Sessions Court here Tuesday.

Sessions Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat issued the warrant after DPP Anselm Charles Fernandis applied for the order.

Raja Petra’s wife and bailor Marina Lee Abdullah was also issued a show-cause letter for not being at court to explain his absence.

Raja Petra, 59, had on July 17 last year claimed trial to three counts of criminal defamation over his statutory declaration on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He is alleged to have defamed the then Deputy Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the declaration affirmed on June 18.

His trial was to have been heard over three days starting Tuesday.

An arrest warrant was also issued last month against Raja Petra after he failed to turn up for his sedition trial. He had claimed trial on May 6 last year to publishing a seditious article on April 25 via his news portal.

Raja Petra claims to be in a self-exile from Selangor because of a dispute with the state’s royalty. Police believe he is now in Brisbane, Australia.