Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) today submitted a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament, asking him to free all reformasi detainees immediately without waiting for further instruction from the courts.

AIM, a coalition of 83 non-governmental organisations, seeking for the repeal of Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, said that Abdullah, who is also the home minister, should carry out the "honourable act" of revoking the detention orders against the six.

AIM chairperson Zaid Kamaruddin, who spoke on behalf of the group, said that our system based on the separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary was at stake if the government does not abide by the Federal Court's decision.

"The rule of law in this country is in jeopardy if the executive does not adhere to the decisions of the court," said Zaid, in a two-page memorandum to Abdullah.

Justice not done

"Justice has not been done. For the detainees, they were punished even before the court has made a decision. Justice delayed is indeed justice denied," he stressed.

The Federal Court ruled in a habeas corpus hearing on Sept 6 that the initial 60-day detention of five reformasi leaders was unlawful and that the police had acted in 'bad faith' in their detention.

However, the detainees were not released as the court said a separate habeas corpus application must be filed in order to determine the legality of the two-year detention order signed by Abdullah.

The five Keadilan leaders Tian Chua, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and Saari Sungib, malaysiakini columnist-cum-filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais and Free Anwar campaign director Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin were detained last year for allegedly plotting to topple the government through militant means.

Raja Petra was released before the expiry of the 60-day period while Mohd Ezam (left) is currently serving a two-year jail term at the Kajang Prison for breaching the Official Secrets Act.

The rest, including two other Keadilan leaders Dr Badrulamin Bahron and Lokman Noor Adam, are being held at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak.

Meanwhile, Aliza Jaffar, wife of detained Keadilan leader Saari Sungib, said that she had made some 70 visits to Kamunting to see her husband.

"He is in good health but has lost a lot of weight. He has refused to use all the camp's facilities including their health service because he is waiting for his release after the Federal Court's decision," she told reporters at the lobby.

Civil suit

Aliza said the legal counsels for the detainees will be visiting Kamunting tomorrow as the detainees are considering civil action against the government.

"We are planning to sue for loss of income which can be compensated with money. But our family name has been defamed and no amount of money can compensate for that," she said.

Aliza said the families are awaiting Abdullah's immediate reply on the matter. Abdullah is currently overseas and is due back tomorrow.

"If we do not get any reply, we will lodge a police report against him," she added.

The group also submitted the memorandum to opposition MPs PAS deputy president Mustafa Ali (Dungun), Keadilan president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Permatang Pauh) and DAP central committee member Teresa Kok (Seputeh).

PRM secretary-general Sanusi Osman, youth leaders Faisal Sanusi and Latheefa Koya were also present to lend support to the movement.

AIM will be submitting the same memorandum to Suhakam this afternoon.