The editor of online news provider Malaysia Today , Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin, today refuted allegations that his website is inciting racial and religious tension among Malaysians.

According to him, he was merely 'exposing irregularities' and does not harbour any 'bad intentions' as reported in Malay tabloid Harian Metro .

"I am just exposing irregularities and the truth. If that is berniat jahat (bad intention) as the Malay tabloid says, then so be it.

"But I hope they can prove their claims," he said when contacted.

In its front-page report today entitled ' Debat senda Islam ' (Debate mocking Islam) today, the daily accused Raja Petra of allowing postings on his website which accused Muslims of ridiculing other religions.

The report also quoted Umno Youth executive councillor Pirdaus Ismail as saying that Raja Petra has "bad intentions" in promoting a debate on a Friday prayer sermon that allegedly contained texts insulting other religions.

'An axe to grind'

However, Raja Petra claims otherwise.

"It is said that I had insulted Islam. Well, if they believe that I did, then I am willing to be taken to court provided that I will be tried under the Islamic law. That's all I can say to them. Other than that, please read my column Monday Morning Blues ," he said.

When asked about the disputed sermon text, Raja Petra said that he only reported what had happened.

"Anyone can hear a Friday sermon. If they claim that none of the text had made any insult, then why don't they publish the sermon. The people are free to decide whether they (the sermons) are insulting or not," he added.

He also claimed that Pirdaus had made the statement against him because the Umno leader, who was a former imam at the National Mosque, had "an axe to grind".

"When I was with Seruan Keadilan (opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat party organ) I exposed his involvement with corruption.

"In Malaysia Today , I had exposed his tantrums during the Permatang Pauh election petition. That's why he is so angry with me," he said.

Nothing new

Raja Petra is also confident that the negative reports would not upset the running of the website which started its operations four months ago on Aug 13 2004.

"This is nothing new to me as I have been accused by so many factions: the Umno people, the oppositions..pro-reformists . But I think I should thank them for the free publicity. Now people who don't know about the website will surely visit Malaysia Today ," he said.

Asked if Harian Metro had contacted him for comment before running the story, the editor said to date he has not received any calls from them.

"They stated in the reports that their attempts to contact me failed yesterday. I don't know which of my numbers they used because journalists in other papers, including foreign-based ones, have no trouble contacting me!" he added.