HONG KONG - A group of 40 people marched to the Malaysian consulate in Hong Kong today to call for the immediate release of six opposition activists detained without trial under a controversial security law.

The group which included Malaysians, Chinese and several Hong Kong legislators, said the march had been held to coincide with the anniversary of the arrest a year ago of six members of Malaysia's political opposition under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"The protest was also held to coincide with a hunger strike which the detainees will begin today in their Malaysian detention camp," said a spokeswoman for the group, Shirley Chan of Amnesty International (Hong Kong).

The protesters called for the group to be released or be charged in court for their alleged crimes. They also demanded that the jailed former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, be allowed to travel overseas for medical treatment.

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years in prison for abuse of power and sodomy. He says he was framed to avert a political challenge to prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who denies the allegation.

Opponents say the ISA, which allows indefinite detention without trial, is being used to suppress peaceful opposition to Mahathir's 20-year rule.