Update - Controversial Malaysian blogger freed
The case of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of the Malaysia Today website, was reported by Helen Vatsikopoulos as being indicative of the Malaysian government's "clampdown on dissent - shutting critics up by locking them up."
Raja Petra had been imprisoned for eight weeks without trial, under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA).
A judge has ruled that the Interior Minister overstepped his authority in ordering the detention.
Raja Petra's lawyer says the ruling is historic being the first time in almost 20 years that a court has ordered the release of an ISA detainee.
As Vatsikopopulos reported Raja Petra had written extensively on Malaysia's political scandals including the murder of a woman translator and had made allegations about Malaysia' Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The New Straits Times reports that the Home Ministry has announced it will appeal the Shah Alam High Court decision to release Raja Petra Kamarudin from detention.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said the government respected the court’s decision but would nevertheless mount an appeal.
Asked if the government would be more careful before making future ISA arrests, Abdullah said: “The Home Ministry is always careful. The power of ISA detention is not to be used callously. “There is a reason for all the arrests made under the ISA.”
