Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said today the inconsistent reasoning given for the detention of six PSM members under the Emergency Ordinance is reason enough for their release.

azlan In a statement on his blog today, Anwar said the fact that the reason for detention was changed from "involvement with subversive activity" to "planning the Bersih 2.0 rally" shows that the arrests have no basis.

"It is apparent that this is solely the government's trick to malign Bersih 2.0," he said.

The six - Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar, M Sarasvathy, Choo Chon Kai, M Sugumaran, A Letchumanan and R Saras Babu - have been detained under the Emergency Ordinance since July 2.

They were nabbed during a PSM roadshow to campaign against what they see as the BN's bad governance.

Waging war

The police had initially said they were arrested for planning to wage war against the King, but in a recent reply to a habeas corpus application for their release, said it was because the  six were key movers of the Bersih 2.0 rally.

The habeaus corpus hearing was, however , adjourned to Aug 5, five days after the 30-day detention order expires; but the order can be renewed for another 30 days by the police.

NONE Demanding the immediate release of the six, who he believes are victims of "political manipulation", Anwar ( right ) said the matter had gained urgency as there was now suspicion of abuse.

He said this was especially since the detainees were denied a meeting with representatives of the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Families of the PSM 6 have also been denied access since July 15 and have finally, after several requests, were given allowance to meet the six at 11am today.

The families are currently meeting with the detainees at the Dang Wangi, Selayang, Travers, Jinjang, Kepong and Petaling police stations.

"Pakatan Rakyat has resolved to heighten our campaign to explain to the public nationwide the oppressive nature of detention without trial... under the Emergency Ordinance.

"This archaic and oppressive law no longer serves to protect the country but is manipulated to muzzle dissenting voices," Anwar said.