ISA 6: Three out, two remain, one continues time in Kajang

comments     Susan Loone     Published     Updated

Three ISA detainees and supporters of jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim who were held under a tough security law were freed tonight when their two-year detention orders expired.

A fourth detainee was also technically released but remains in prison o­n separate charges.

"Camp authorities have freed three of the detainees tonight," Cynthia Gabriel, executive director with rights group Voice of the Malaysian People (Suaram) told AFP.

"We are happy with the action of the government," she added.

The three freed detainees are: Tian Chua, Keadilan vice-president, Saari Sungib and Hishamuddin Rais, malaysiakini columnist-cum-film maker. They were first detained in April, 2001.

However, malaysiakini understands that Saari is the o­nly o­ne physically out in the street tonight. Tian Chua and Hishamuddin were sent to Taiping Prison where they are expected to be held until bail could be posted o­n the unlawful assembly charges against them

The Internal Security Act (ISA), under which six Anwar supporters are being held, allows detention without trial and the standard two-year detention orders can be renewed indefinitely.

Gabriel added that Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Keadilan Youth leader, has also been "technically" released from the ISA but he had to complete jail time for another offence.

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