UK govt refuses to extradite RPK?

KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein may have indirectly revealed the refusal of the British government to extradite controversial fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK). The minister said relevant authorities from both nations have met on the matter but extradition "requires cooperation from both sides".

"And if the position and policy of the other nation does not allow the person to be taken back home for action, to face justice, what other choices do we have?" Hishammuddin told reporters at Parliament House here.

Hishammuddin was responding to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's reprimand against the Malaysian police for alleged inaction against RPK.

The webmaster of Malaysia Today fled the country and legal persecution following his allegation that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and wife, Rosmah Mansor, are involved in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu.

Khairy said the entire nation is aware of his location when the blogger appeared publicly in London to speak at events organised by PKR.

"It's unfair to say that the authorities are not doing anything," retorted Hishammuddin, the Semborong MP.

"The Inspector-General of Police (Musa Hassan) has already replied to the questions posed by Khairy,” he said.

Malaysian and UK police have met

The Malaysian police have met with UK's metropolitan police while their intelligence agency has engaged Wisma Putra, said Hishammuddin, maintaining that if one party disagrees to an extradition, it cannot take place.

"So what do we do? Go into a third country and kidnap him or smuggle him out like a terrorist? Never, it is not our way," he said.

Asked if there was any extradition agreement between the two countries, he said he was unaware of it.

"I'm not sure actually. But I have checked with the UK authorities; we have been doing this for a long time and we were aware of all the matters stated yesterday and they have their own position; even with the matter of extradition, you need the cooperation of the party concerned.

"And this has been handled the best way we can. So the most important matter now is to focus on the allegations made by him," said Hishammuddin.