RPK: It’s fair comment

Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin has claimed that the statement in his statutory declaration on the involvement of Rosmah Mansor and two army officers in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu is a statement of fact and, therefore, fair comment.

Raja Petra, who is being sought by the police after he failed to be present at any of his sedition trials, said in his statement of defence to the two lieutenant colonels’ suit that the declaration was made in good faith and without malice.

“The statements are said facts, which is of public interest, namely Altantuya was murdered between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006, and the early morning of the next day.”(It concerns) Rosmah (who is Prime Minister Najib Razak’s wife), lieutenant colonel Abdul Aziz Buyong and lieutenant colonel Norhayati Hassan, who were present during this time.”

“My informer informed me that Abdul Aziz was the person who placed the explosives on various parts of Altantuya’s body while being watched by the two.

“All three were never implicated in Altantuya’s murder or called as witnesses in the murder trial,” the popular blogger said in his statement of defence.

Raja Petra said he would further adduce detailed evidence and particulars when the matter is brought to trial.

The blogger also denied all allegations made in Abdul Aziz and Norhayati’s RM2 million statement of claim against him.

Case management fixed for 2010

The matter came up in court today and the Kuala Lumpur High Court fixed Feb 11, 2010, for further case management in the suit.

Deputy registrar Norhatini Abdul Hamid fixed the date in chambers and ordered both parties to submit all their bundles of documents.

The husband-and-wife team of Abdul Aziz and Norhayati filed the suit against Raja Petra on July 22 last year claiming that the blogger’s statutory declaration was false in wrongfully implicating them and Rosmah with the murder.

They claimed the statutory declaration was made in bad faith – to tarnish their reputation, credibility, good name and career.

They are each seeking RM1 million in damages along with exemplary damages and an injunction to prevent Raja Petra from repeating the alleged defamatory words.

Hafiz Yatim/Mkini