By TNS News Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 – Raja Petra Kamarudin, the influential and outspoken Malaysian blogger, passed away in the UK on Monday night at the age of 74. His death was confirmed by his wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, who shared the news in a heartfelt post on Malaysia Today’s Facebook page.
“May Allah grant him a place among the shahada (martyrs) and the soleheen (the righteous),” Marina wrote, expressing her deep sorrow. She added that funeral arrangements for Raja Petra would be announced in due course.
Often known by his initials, RPK, Raja Petra was born on September 27, 1950, in Surrey, England. A member of the Selangor royal family, he was the nephew of the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and the seventh Sultan of Selangor. He was educated at prestigious institutions including the Alice Smith School, Malay College Kuala Kangsar, and Victoria Institution.
Raja Petra’s career took many paths before he gained prominence as a political blogger. In 2004, he founded Malaysia Today, a platform where he posted bold and controversial commentaries on Malaysian politics. His unflinching critique of political issues made him a highly influential, yet divisive, figure. Despite being detained twice under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for his outspoken writings, Raja Petra remained steadfast in his criticism of the government.
A trailblazer in Malaysia’s digital media landscape, Raja Petra’s contributions to political discourse were profound. His fearless voice resonated with many Malaysians, and his legacy as a commentator unafraid to challenge authority will endure.
Raja Petra leaves behind his wife Marina and their five children.
- TNS News