The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today allowed the prosecution's application for the police computer forensic team to re-examine the central processing unit (CPU) and notebook computer that was seized from Raja Petra Kamarudin's home.

Judge Rozina Ayob in her ruling said the court would allow the prosecution's application for the purpose of justice.

"I am allowing the application made by the prosecution to extract the required information if any, from the CPU and notebook."

"However, it has to be done under the observation by the prosecution, defence counsel and the accused. I am allowing this application in the interest of justice to get to the heart of the matter," she said in her ruling.

The prosecution made the application to look into Raja Petra's computers yesterday on the ground that the previous checks were only confined to a certain matter. Rozina had reserved her decision yesterday.

Rozina's decision was read out by Ho Kwong Chin as the former was on medical leave today.

Ho then fixed four days beginning Dec 16 for hearing to continue.

In the interest of justice

Yesterday, the prosecution led by DPP Ishak Mohd Yusof applied that Raja Petra's CPU and notebook computer seized from the blogger's home in Sungai Buloh to be analysed again.

This comes after police computer forensic officer, Wa'ie Iskal Kria Abdullah testified and had written in his report that he failed to find the article ‘Let's send the Altantuya's murderers to hell' and also entries into the Malaysia Today website from the CPU and notebook between April 11 and April 26, 2008.

raja petra habeas corpus court case 111108 02 Raja Petra is the editor of the Malaysia Today website where the alleged seditious article was posted.

Ishak had submitted yesterday that since Wa'ie Iskal testified he noticed there were several folders in the CPU and notebook but did not open them, the court should allow the prosecution's application to look at the contents of the other folders in the interest of justice.

He said the court must be satisfied that it had done all it can to allow the prosecution to prove its case and if this was not allowed the court may only have one side of the evidence.

The prosecution made the application before Wa'ie Iskal was scheduled to be cross-examined by Raja Petra's counsel.

Defence counsel J Chandra objected to the application as Wa'ie Iskal had concluded his finding, and stated it in his report and testified in court.

Chandra said he found it irregular that before the defence was allowed to question this witness, the prosecution now wanted him to re-examine the two equipments again.

Date not fixed for re-inspection

Outside the court, Ishak said they have yet to fix a date as to where and when the prosecution, counsel and the accused could see the re-examination process done by Wa'ie Iskal.

This, the DPP said, can be done anywhere either in court or at federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

"However, the judge would not be there as she may view prejudicial evidence before it was brought before her."

"We will fix a date for all parties to agree to see this process," he said.

raja petra habeas corpus court case 111108 03 Meanwhile, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo who is also representing Raja Petra said the defence respected the decision but described the prosecution's effort as a last ditch attempt to save their case.

"The prosecution knew there were weakness in their case. This could be their last and desperate attempt. They are looking into ways and means to build their case against my client."

"We are not satisfied in the manner the prosecution had acted. However, their action does not surprise me," he said.

Asked whether they would file a review over the ruling, Gobind said he would have to consult the matter with the other counsel and Raja Petra.

"Certainly, a revision to the High Court is an option if there is any irregularity in procedure when the judge arrive to that ruling."