The HARDtalk program is now off

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Bridget Osborne from the BBC just called to inform Raja Petra Kamarudin that the program scheduled for 3.00pm, Wednesday, 1st September 2010, has been cancelled.

Bridget said that BBC’s lawyers advised them not to proceed with the program as this would upset the Malaysian government and may even expose the BBC to legal action.

Bridget added that the questions they would delve into, which would be very sensitive in nature and critical of the government, would run foul of the Malaysian government.

The fact that the program would be accessible in Malaysia, said Bridget, makes this a problem for the BBC.

It looks like RPK is too hot even for HARDtalk and BBC said it is a rare occasion that they have had to drop a program. 

Mr. Shaariibuu, Altantuya’s father, and RPK when they met in Kuala Lumpur in 2008