Cops seek Interpol manhunt for RPK

(The Malaysian Insider) – Malaysian police are now seeking the help of Interpol to apprehend fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said today in the first official acknowledgement that RPK has fled the country.

RPK, as he is popularly known, went on the lam last month when he failed to turn up for his sedition trial. Today a second warrant of arrest was issued against him for failing to turn up for his criminal defamation trial.

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.

Since skipping trial, the blogger who remains hugely popular has also been engaging in a war with some of his fellow bloggers. He has been attacking several bloggers whom he had once been friendly with, identifying them as pro-Barisan Nasional bloggers.

According to a recent news report, police here believe RPK is now in Brisbane, Australia, together with his wife.

Besides the latest arrest warrant issued today, Sessions Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat also issued a show-cause notice to RPK’s wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, as his bailor for not being in court as well.

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 Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He is alleged to have defamed Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor by claiming she was involved in the murder.

RPK has claimed through his website that he would not be attending the trials as he fears being arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA).