Leading Malaysian human rights groups today expressed their dismay over the Federal Court ruling yesterday that the authorities need not state the reasons for extending the detention order of a person already held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

According to Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) coordinator, Cynthia Gabriel, the judgment failed to protect the individual from the state by providing sufficient safeguard to the individual.

"We are disappointed with the judgment. The case is a disservice to the judiciary and justice in Malaysia," Gabriel said when contacted by malaysiakini today.

She added that the court's ruling was akin to giving the home minister unchecked powers to detain anyone.