The name Raja Petra Kamarudin — popularly known as RPK — is dreaded by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

His blog, Malaysia Today, Malaysia’s most popular blog (read here), has been a source of embarrassment to the ruling party because RPK reveals, mostly with documented evidence, the litany of abuses that UMNO is involved in. His biggest scalp thus far has been none other than current Prime Minister, Najib Razak. RPK has made a statutory declaration that Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor (read here or watch the attached video), was at the scene of the crime of the murder of Altantunya Sharibu (read the account of the case here). Najib, despite vehemently denying any involvement, has not sued RPK for defamation nor did the police investigate his claims.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4yE5vv73DA

RPK is now in the United Kingdom, fleeing possible political persecution in Malaysia, after being released from detention under Malaysia’s draconian Internal Securities Act (read here). He is considered too hot even for the BBC’s hard-hitting socio-political programme, HARDTalk, which canceled at the last minute, a scheduled interview with him; reportedly under pressure from either the British or Malaysian government (read here and here).

With elections in Malaysia drawing near, RPK remains a threat to UMNO. His latest revelation, shows how Tajuddin Ramli, a Mahathir-Daim crony (read here), plundered nearly RM9 billion through control (purchase, operation and sale) of Malaysian Airlines (read here ). His website is now under attack. It has been shut down twice in recent days and now experiences low bandwidth (read here). Many believe this is the work of UMNO or their agents (read here and here).

RPK has broken more stories (e.g. scandals, controversial UMNO/BN government plans and conspiracy, etc) than any other media organisation. As long as RPK is free, Malaysians can be assured of continued breaking news of government shenanigans. This should keep UMNO, and other corrupt individuals linked to UMNO, marginally at least, on their toes.

Keeping RPK free would be the wish of everyone interested in seeing Malaysia mature as a democracy.