Attempts to extradite me will be futile, says Raja Petra

Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin cites legal complexities and the absence of dual criminality as sedition and defamation are not crimes in the UK.

(FMT) – Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has poured scorn on suggestions that the government may seek his extradition from the UK, saying such attempts would prove futile.

Raja Petra, who has been living in the UK for the last 15 years, said the government would need an order from a UK court and approval from the British home office before he can be arrested with a view to extradition.

He also said Malaysia must establish dual criminality, demonstrating that the alleged offences in Malaysia are also crimes in the UK.

“My case, as mentioned by the Inspector-General of Police (Razarudin Husain), involves charges of attempting to topple the government, sedition and criminal defamation.

“However, sedition and defamation are no longer regarded as crimes,” he said in a YouTube video.

The UK government abolished sedition and defamation as criminal offences in 2009. However, these are still offences in Malaysia, with criminal defamation covered in Sections 499 to 502 of the Penal Code and sedition by the Sedition Act 1948.

As such, Raja Petra said the government should not “waste their time” pursuing extradition or applying for an Interpol Red Notice to be issued as the UK court would not entertain requests for his extradition.

“This is precisely why the government couldn’t extradite me back in 2009 for the same offences,” he said.

Raja Petra moved to the UK after being charged with sedition in 2009 over an open letter he wrote in connection with a then-prevailing constitutional crisis in Perak.

On Saturday, Razarudin reportedly said Raja Petra was being sought over claims that efforts were under way to unseat the ruling government via the “Dubai Move”.

He said the police were liaising with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on how to facilitate this.

In his video, Raja Petra expressed his willingness to have his statement regarding the “Dubai Move” recorded, provided the Malaysian authorities cover his expenses.

“I look forward to communication from Bukit Aman or (the) AG.”