The sedition trial of Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin had to be postponed for the third time by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today following the failure of the prosecution to execute a warrant of arrest on the blogger.

Judge Rozina Ayob, expressing her dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in the case, said it was due to be settled by the end of December.

The case was mentioned last year and has seen two postponements, in May and July respectively, because of Raja Petra's absence.

Rozina said this would be the final postponement and set Nov 11 as the new hearing date.

raja petra kamaruddin rpk session court kl 241108 02 Earlier, when asked by Rozina on the police's progress in tracing Raja Petra, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusuff said various efforts have been made.

This included enlisting Interpol’s help in 186 countries but this effort has so far not borne any fruit.

Counsel requests discharge

On May 6, 2008, Raja Petra ( right ), 60, pleaded not guilty to committing sedition by posting an article entitled `Let's Send The Altantuya Murderers To Hell' on his website on April 25, 2008.

Lawyer, J Chandra, representing Raja Petra, had urged the court to grant his client a discharge not amounting to acquittal in view of the continued postponement.

Ishak objected saying it was unfair and prejudicial to the prosecution as several witnesses had already testified in the case.

“As such, we seek one final postponement," Ishak requested. - Bernama