Hishamuddin Rais is back! The malaysiakini columnist will have his first article, after a two-year hiatus, published tomorrow in his column renamed 'Dotmai Kembali'.

The 'trendy rebel' - known for his trademark beret, scarf and sunglasses - was forced to take a protracted sabbatical from writing following his arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2001.

He was held under the security law, which provides for detention without trial, with five Keadilan leaders for allegedly plotting to topple the government through militant means, a charge they have vehemently denied.

Following this, the writer-cum-filmmaker, spent the next two years in the Kamunting Detention Camp in Perak until the six were released this June.

"Two years (in prison) is a long time. Logically, its going to take a while for me to get back the feel (for writing), the 'pulse' of what is going on," he said responding to a question when contacted today.