Respondents to a habeas corpus application filed by former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan to challenge his detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) have requested for a one month date of hearing.

Senior federal counsel Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, who represents the respondents, requested the court to give them a one month date of hearing to enable them to prepare "15 voluminous numbers of affidavits".

Dang Wangi District deputy police chief Supt Habibi Majinji, Dang Wangi District police chief, the inspector-general of police and the Malaysian government are the respondents.

However, Khairuddin's lawyer Haniff Khatri told reporters today that they had vehemently objected to this on grounds that one month would take it beyond the detention period.

"There's nothing to apply for, then. So it doesn't make sense to agree to such a request," Haniff ( photo ), told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Under Sosma, Khairuddin can be detained without trial up to 28 days.

Haniff confirmed that the detention period against Khairuddin would expire on Oct 21.

"So, we want the matter to be heard sometime next week, so that at least by then, if the application is to be allowed, he would have already spent more than half of the 28 days detention period. That will only be just.

"That's basically why we are insisting for an early date," said Haniff.

Nevertheless, the court has fixed this matter for further mention before a judge to determine the date of hearing.

"Senior assistant registrar (Noor Aini Yusof) has fixed it to be mentioned before the judge, for the judge to give an adequate and proper date for the hearing of the applications. So, we will know on Friday, God willing.

"On Friday, at 9am, we will appear before Justice Kamardin Hashim for him to consider when the suitable date for this matter can be fixed for hearing, taking into account the requests of both parties," Haniff said.

Khairuddin's lawyer, Fahmi Abd Moin, had filed the application at the counter of the High Court Registry last Monday.

Court asked to issue habeas corpus for his release

Bernama reported that Khairuddin sought a court order that his detention, via a notice under Section 4(5) of the Sosma Act 2012, dated Sept 24 and which was issued by the first respondent and carried out under the supervision of the second respondent (the Dang Wangi police chief) at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, is not valid and null and void.

Khairuddin also applied for a writ of habeas corpus to be issued by the court so that he is freed immediately from detention, and also sought other relief deemed just and appropriate by the court.

He submitted the application on the contention that his detention does not comply with the provisions of Sosma, is malicious and mala fide and carried out as an afterthought by the respondents.

The former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chairperson also claimed that his detention was an abuse of the legal process in the wrong use of Sosma when his actions did not infringe on terrorism activities at all.

Khairuddin was rearrested under Sosma on Sept 23, at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Jalan Duta, after his remand for the case under Section 124C of the Penal Code ended.

Prior to this, Khairuddin was remanded since Sept 19 under Section 124C of the Penal Code for trying to carry out activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

The remand order was issued on grounds that the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) critic had planned to ask the United States to "interfere" in the country's affairs.