Several foreign human rights groups and activists are stepping up the pressure o­n Malaysian authorities to release Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Tian Chua and five other political prisoners as they near the end of the detention period served o­n them.

The 52-member Hong Kong-based Asian Students Association (ASA) issued a statement condemning the Malaysian government's action in using the repressive act to detain the six reformasi activists and called for the abolition of the act.

The others joining Chua o­n a two-year detention in Kamunting, Perak, since June 2001 are Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Hishammudin Rais, Dr Badrulamin Baharon and Lokman Noor Adam.

Mohd Ezam however is currently jailed at the Kajang prison for two years after being convicted of offences under the Official Secrets Act.

Criminal neglect

Of their detention, ASA said: "The Malaysian government has blatantly ignored the Federal Court's ruling (that the initial detention was unlawful) and made them languish in the Kamunting detention camp for almost two years.

"This criminal neglect of law and justice in Malaysia and the denial of the six detainees' rights to due process and legal counsel are deplorable and should be denounced in the strongest terms."

ASA also criticised the authorities for ignoring ISA review board's recommendation for immediate release of the six.

It urged the Malaysian government to heed not o­nly its own court's rulings but also the call of the citizens for "justice, freedom and democracy".

"As a member of the community of nations, the Malaysian government, especially (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, should respect and adhere to democratic principles and human rights," it said.

Protests

Protests calling for the release of the detainees will be held in Hong Kong, Australia and London tomorrow.

The Hong Kong protest will proceed outside the Malaysian Consul-General's office.

In Melbourne, labour movement Australia Asia Worker Links will be holding a rally for Chua ( left ) and his fellow detainees at 5pm outside the Malaysian Airlines office o­n Collin Street.

The special support for Chua is for his significant contribution to workers in Malaysia as a labour activist.

In London, a picket will be held at noon outside the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board in Trafalgar Square, organised by the UK chapter of the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI).

Meanwhile, malaysiakini chief executive officer and co-founder Premesh Chandran ( photo ) will be joining British parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn and several other human rights activists in a public forum tomorrow o­n 'Southeast Asia: The second front in the "war against terrorism"' in London.

Also speaking at the forum is coordinator of the Bangkok-based Committee for Asian Women, Mabel Au, who is also Chua's fiancee.