The family of a former Negeri Sembilan state footballer who is currently detained by the police under the Emergency Ordinance has appealed to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and the government to look into their plight.

Abdullah Ali, 36, was arrested on April 22 in Seremban and has been in police custody since then. He was alleged to have been involved in secret societies and activities detrimental to public security.

However Abdullah's family claimed he is innocent and that he was wrongfully arrested.

Today, 12 of his family members and friends brought their case to Suhakam. Among those at the Suhakam office today were his wife, Aisah Abdul Kadar and their two daughters, his mother, Dainun Sulaiman and brothers, Abdul Rahman Ali and Mustaffa Ali.

The family had earlier sent the details on Abdullah's case to the commission. They highlighted the possibility that Abdullah could have been 'wrongfully accused' by certain individuals who may have grudges against him.

According to his family, Abdullah had earlier received news from a source that he would be arrested following a 'fabricated' report lodged against him.

Fearing the consequences, Abdullah sent a letter to the police on the matter as well as letters of support from from well-meaning friends and associates.

Abdullah, who is also a branch leader of the People's Progressive Party a Barisan Nasional component party managed to obtain 251 signatures from neighbours, friends and associates to support his claim that he is a law-abiding citizen.

Negeri Sembilan Indian Association chairperson M S Maniam also offered a letter of support vouching for Abdullah's integrity. But Abdullah was arrested despite the supportive testimonials.

Detained in 1993

(In June 1993, Abdullah, his brother Abdul Rahman and four others were detained under the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Crime Prevention) 1969 in the Simpang Renggam detention centre in Johor for alleged involvement in secret society activities. The six were subsequently released without any charge a year later.)

Suhakam chief assistant secretary Mohd Nasir Abdul Hadi who met Abdullah's family today assured them that Suhakam will look into their plight.

He said that while the commission has contacted the police on the matter, there was no official reply from them yet.

Meanwhile, Abdullah's family revealed that the 60-day remand order on Abdullah will expire next Friday.

"If indeed he has done something wrong, let him be punished. But if he has not, let him go," said a family friend present in Suhakam office today.

"Don't use the Emergency Ordinance to create unnecessary stress to others. His family needs him," he added.

The Emergency Ordinance is a law for preventive detention, like the controversial Internal Security Act where the home affairs minister has the purview to detain a person deemed to be a threat to public security.

Abdullah Ali was a member of the Negeri Sembilan football team from 1985-89. He is now a businessman.