The Paris-based Reporters San Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) has urged Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release six Internal Security Act detainees currently on a hunger strike.

The international media watchdog said it has written to Abdullah calling for the release of malaysiakini columnist-cum-filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais and five other Keadilan leaders who are into the 10th day of the hunger strike.

After a year of arbitrary detention under the ISA, this hunger strike movement cannot fail to attract your attention and encourage you to release this journalist who has done nothing more than exercise his right to seek, receive and impart information, said RSF secretary-general Robert Menard in a press statement today.

The Keadilan leaders  Tian Chua, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam and Dr Badrulamin Bahron  were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government by militant means.

They started their hunger strike on April 10 to mark the first anniversary of their incarceration and to highlight their demand to be released or charged in open court for the crime which they have denied.

Unaware of hunger strike

According to RSF, Information Minister Khalil Yaakob had said during a press conference in Paris on April 16 that he was not aware of the hunger strike.

Khalil also said to reporters that the six detained under the ISA were being held for good reasons.

Meanwhile, family members of the six have said their health is deteriorating rapidly.

Hishamuddin and Badrulamin were admitted to the prison [clinic] on April 17. They have been put on a drip and are still refusing food, RSF added.

According to the media watchdog, the six have received the support of human rights activists and government opponents as well as jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, whose health only permitted him to join the hunger strike for a day.

In a related development, 13 supporters of the ISA 6 are proceeding with their hunger strike at the PAS headquarters in Taman Melewar, Kuala Lumpur.

Two Keadilan leaders N Gobalakrishnan and P Krishnasamy have withdrawn from the hunger strike today, but the group were rejoined by Keadilan Youth leader Muhammad Hidir Khalid and Mohd Zainal Osman, a nasi kandar chef.