Jailed blogger begins hunger strike

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RPK being detained

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uploaded by Herbert Wong

Jailed blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) has started on a hunger strike today. His wife is now very worried for his health as he is known to have kidney problems.

Earlier this morning RPK who preferred being jailed to out on bail, surprised his wife, Marina by refusing to see her when she turned up at the prison.

He told his prison wardens that he does not want any visitors and asked that he be left alone. He later asked that his wife brings him his reading glasses.

Yesterday RPK was charged in court for sedition over an article of nine paragraphs that he wrote in his popular Malaysia Today website. He refused to post bail of RM5,000-00 but instead chose to be imprisoned. He was taken to the Sungai Buloh Prison on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and will remain there till bail is posted or the date of his trial which will be from Oct 06 to Oct 10, 2008.

see earlier story here

Many of his fellow bloggers and friends are fearful for his well being and safety while he is being detained there. They are planning to hold a candle light vigil outside the prison where he is being  incarcerated later tonight.

Meanwhile, his wife Marina has posted a blog on her husband's portal Malaysia Today questioning is Parliament still relevant when her husband is being held on what she believes are trumped up charges.