'Govt does not want me to come back to Malaysia' - Raja Petra

SHAH ALAM - Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin claims that the government does not allow him to return to the country as he is seen as a threat to the national security.

In a four-minute 15-second video, he said negotiations had been made since 2013 to enable his return to Malaysia including with national leaders and authorities.

“The truth is that I tried to return (to Malaysia) many times. I met with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was the prime minister. I consulted with those close to Najib and two Cabinet ministers (including) Bukit Aman (police) several times.

“Many say I’m a fugitive, no. Whatever charges (relating to) Rosmah (and) Najib, all of the cases were dropped and withdrawn.

"That’s why I’m free to enter the Malaysian embassies in many countries, there are no arrest warrants against me,” he said in a video on Twitter, today.

Raja Petra claimed that Zahid had helped him renew his passport despite not being able to return home.

“My passport is renewed, I asked Zahid for help and he contacted the Malaysian Immigration Department and they contacted the Malaysian embassy. They would send the officer to my house to renew my passport.

“This was the Deputy Prime Minister's order, but they don’t want me back in Malaysia as they’re afraid that I would make a ‘roadshow’ around Malaysia. If I were to hold a ceramah, I can attract 30,000 individuals.

“During the elections, it can reach up to 50,000 individuals. They’re afraid that I will become a threat to the government, that’s the reason they gave.

"They prefer me to stay in London, as long as I am not there holding ceramahs in several areas causing the government to face issues,” he explained.

In 2009, it was reported that an arrest warrant was issued against Raja Petra after he failed to turn up in court for his sedition trial on April 23 and May 23, that year.

He is currently staying in London, United Kingdom.