Two individuals held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in connection with SMS rumour-mongering which rocked Johoreans late last month have been released.

According to a letter by Johor police chief DCP Hussin Ismail to the Johor branch of human rights watchdog Suaram, the duo were detained under ISA for seven days between Aug 28 to Sept 3.

ISA allows for detention without trial.

The duo - Kamarul Fahmi Yassin, 25 and Nasib Abdullah, 29 - were among five held in connection with spreading of SMS rumours claiming that racial clashes would occur on the eve of the recent Merdeka celebraitons.

Both were released on police bail, but Hussin did not say if the duo would have to report back to the police.

Response to Suaram

"Once investigation is completed, the findings would be referred to the deputy public prosecutors for permission to persecute any of the two, should there be strong evidence that an offence was committed," said Hussin.

"The arrests were not made with the purpose of obtaining a remand order. Instead it was carried out according to investigation process and (subsequent possible) prosecution in court, as provided for under the act," he added.

Husin's letter was a response to three written by Johor Suaram coordinator Nyam Kee Han who protested the use of ISA against five individuals held in connection with the case.

The five were held under the ISA in three batches according to media reports and Nyam responded with a protest letter to Hussin on each occasion.

Nyam said Johor Suaram would be seeking more information from the police on the status of three others whose fate is still unknown.

Rumour strikes fear in Johor townships