E Contrario

Finally we can see that the Malaysian Police Force is not a total waste of public money. Motivated by Umno-led government’s gracious move of granting a long overdue pay rise, the police repaid the favour with prompt action.

Barely 2 days after Umno made a police report against Malaysia Today, its editor Raja Petra was called for questioning. Mat Taib who led Umno delegation to lodge the report called on Raja Petra to be charged under Sedition Act.

Petra was contacted by the police from IPD Dang Wangi on 25 July. He went straight to the police station at 11:00hr.

I had a feeling that this was the moment Petra was waiting for. Petra had gone through this under various circumstances. In 2001 we were arrested under ISA. During the interrogation, for quite some period Petra was in a room next to mine.

Two years ago on 1 July 2005, Petra had been summoned to the Commercial Crime Division for interrogation with regards to Malaysia Today’s report on the Negeri Sembilan Royal Family.

I arrived IPD Dang Wangi at about 13:00hr and met Petra’s wife Marina in the canteen. Many reporters and a few other friends and bloggers were already there.

Throughout the afternoon, many other friends came to express support.

DAP Ronie Liew showed up in solidarity with Marina, wife of Petra.

The long wait gave me a chance to chat with Marina. She told about her life long relationship with Petra. I think this amazing story not much known by people. I guess Petra is quite consistent in his passion. If he can be so committed in love, I am sure it is no less in his hatred towards the corrupted power.

It was a long wait. I believe Raja Petra was doing most of the talking. Marina said that Petra brought his Quran and several reference books. He was fully equipped for a head on debate.

Raja Petra out of interrogation, after 8 hours.