(AFP) updated version

The son of PAS spiritual leader and Kelatan chief minister Nik Abdul Aziz was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) yesterday, bringing the number of arrests to 10 in three days.

The new wave of arrests under the ISA, which allows indefinite detention without trial, have prompted an outcry from opposition leaders.

Nik Adli Nik Abdul Aziz was detained under the ISA early yesterday in Kelantan on grounds of national security, a federal police spokesman told AFP.

The 34-year-old religious school teacher was suspected to be involved with a terrorist Islamic group waging a "holy war," the spokesman said.

At least five others detained were also PAS members.

The arrests came as PAS defied a two-week-old police ban on open-air public rallies and pledged to continue with its political gatherings.

Military training

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said the detainees were part of a so-called "Mujahideen Group" who received military training in Afghanistan.

He said more may be arrested as investigations showed the group had more than 50 members in Malaysia.

Nine members of the group were linked to a spate of crimes including robbery, murdering a politician and bombing a church and Hindu temple, have been held since June.

Opposition leaders and rights groups have condemned the use of the ISA.

In April 10 supporters of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim were detained under the same law.

Six have been sent to a prison camp for up to two years, while four have been freed. Two student activists were also arrested last month under the ISA but have since been released.

"Whoever is guilty should be tried in an open court. I am just sad that the ISA was used as it is a law drafted during barbaric times," the Sunday Star quoted Nik Abdul Aziz as saying.

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, voiced concern that the arrests were part of a massive crackdown against the opposition.

"The government is not only using the ISA but has acted cruelly to block peaceful assemblies ... this is to cover-up a split in ruling parties and shift attention away from political and economic problems," he said.

Politically motivated

Meanwhile, DAP national chairman Lim Kit Siang said the arrests appeared to be politically motivated amid PAS defiance of the police ban on rallies.

"There is potential for a frame-up and trumped up charges. If there is evidence, they should be charged in court and put through an open trial," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denied the arrests were a crackdown on PAS.

"PAS members were not the target of these arrests but it so happens that several of those detained are PAS members," he said yesterday.

Recently, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said there were some "extremists" in PAS who were prepared to use violent methods to oust the government.