Police personnel stationed at the Kulim magistrates' court yesterday confiscated and detained a reformasi activist for illegal possession of 21 VCDs featuring a collection of speeches by Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, entitled 'Best of Ezam'.

Nasir Isa, 45, was held for five hours for questioning at the Kulim district police headquarters allegedly for carrying 'illegal' copies of the VCDs not approved by the Information Ministry. All videos recordings for public distribution must be certified by the ministry's National Film Development Corporation.

Nasir was later arrested but he has yet to be told of his charge.

He posted bail at RM2,000 in the afternoon and was told to report back on Saturday, Aug 24. He was accompanied by Penang Keadilan deputy chief and lawyer Cheah Kah Peng and two other party supporters.

Nasir has been politically active in reformasi activities and was part of the 'urgent arrest' team which provide assistance for those detained by police during street demonstrations.

District police chief Ismail Ayub confirmed the arrest but declined to comment beyond saying that the charge against Nasir would be made known on Saturday.

No intention of sell VCDs

Earlier, Nasir was in court to observe the trial of 10 Keadilan leaders and members who were jointly charged with taking part in an illegal assembly with the intention to riot, and wrongfully confining bus drivers and passengers from reaching their destination during the Nov 2000 Lunas by-election.

Forty-five minutes into the trial yesterday, which started at 10.30am, Nasir was asked to leave the courtroom and report to the magistrates' court's guard house.

He was then told that his bag, which was left at the guard house, contained 'illegal' VCDs. One of the police officers at the court later escorted him to the police station.

When malaysiakini spoke to Nasir after he had posted his bail, he said he had no intentions to sell the VCDs or distribute them in public and was not expecting any arrest.

The VCDs contain a compilation of Ezam's speeches at various political rallies before he was detained under the controversial Internal Security Act last April for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government through street demonstrations.

"I brought them from Kuala Lumpur to give party supporters and members souvenirs to take home after the trial," he said.

Since the launch of the reformasi movement four years ago, several distributers have been charged in court for illegal possession and for selling VCDs which contained political speeches by opposition leaders.