Family members of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais today lodged a police report against the Kamunting detention camp authorities for allegedly assaulting the duo o­n May 9.

Last week, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairperson Abu Talib Othman had advised the detainees to lodge a complaint with the police.

'Serious injuries'

Tian Chua's sister Tian See and Hishamuddin's brother Nordin lodged separate reports with the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.

They were accompanied by members of human rights group Suaram, the Anti-ISA Movement, opposition politicians and the wives of several other ISA detainees.

Speaking to reporters later, Nordin ( left ), who had visited Hishamuddin two days after the alleged incident, said he wanted the police to investigate the violence against both his brother and Tian Chua.

"Those who beat up and roughed up my brother and Tian Chua ought to be punished so that similar incidents will not recur," he said.

"Hishamuddin was not at fault, but the officers assaulted him. In fact, he was also kept in solitary confinement in a dark, dirty cell for 45 minutes for trying to help Tian Chua who was being beaten by officers."

Tian See ( left ) , who visited her brother o­n May 10, said he had "serious injuries o­n his neck, arm, back and other parts of his body" as a result of the alleged assault.

"He may even suffer from internal injuries that could adversely affect his health in the future," she said, adding that such violence must be condemned, "especially against a helpless detainee who was trying to protect himself".

Tian See said those who attacked her brother and Hishamuddin knew the law, but had chosen to violate it.

"I urge the police to investigate the incident and bring my brother's attackers to justice," she said.

Suhakam 'inactive'

Parti Rakyat Malaysia vice-president R Sivarasa, who accompanied the complainants to the station, criticised Suhakam for its lack of action.

"We wonder what Suhakam is doing about this, especially after we submitted a complaint very early following the incident. They have not even visited the camp," he said.

On May 16, Suhakam had sent a letter asking the camp authorities for details of the incident but there has been no response to date. Commission officials could not be reached for comment today.

Anti-ISA campaigners have intensified pressure o­n the government for a decision o­n the release of the six reformasi activists held since 2001. A series of events will be organised up to June 1.

The six were detained for allegedly plotting to topple the government by militant means, a charge which they have denied.

Last week, the government said the assessment reports prepared by case officers would form the basis of consideration for the release or extension of the five held in Kamunting.

Three of them - Tian ( bottom left ), Hishamuddin ( far right ), Saari Sungib ( second from left ) - would have served the two-year order o­n June 1.

While Lokman Noor Adam ( third from left ) and Dr Badrulamin Bahron ( fourth from left) are due for release o­n June 13.

The sixth activist, Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor ( far left ), is currently serving a separate two-year jail term in Kajang prison for violating the Official Secrets Act.

As of last June, 113 people are serving a two-year detention order, with over half of them alleged to be members of local and regional terror groups.