The unexpected release of four Internal Security Act detainees - who were among the six arrested for planning to topple the government in 2001 - was welcomed by opposition parties today.

Keadilan, which saw five of its top leaders detained over the charge, reiterated its call that the security law be abolished and those detained under it given a fair trial.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, its president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also called on the government to release two more of its leaders, Dr Badrulamin Baharon and Lokman Nor Adam, whose two-year detention orders will expire on June 13.

She said the duo should also be freed since the "highest court of the land had ruled that their detention was mala fide (done in bad faith)".

Last September, the Federal Court ruled that their initial 60-day detention was illegal but fell short of calling for their release from their two-year imprisonment at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak.

"The release of all six should have been done earlier, and in fact, they should not have been arrested in the first place.

"All other detainees who have been detained without trial should be either released or given fair trial," said Wan Azizah, adding that the latest release does not legitimise the continued use of the law.

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Following their arrest, the police said the six had procured rocket launchers and grenades in a bid to overthrow the government. However, the detainees denied the charge.

Those released yesterday were Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, supreme council member Saari Sungib together with malaysiakini columnist-cum- filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais.

Of the four, only Saari walked free. Tian and Hishamuddin are being held at the Taiping prison pending their bail applications for other cases while Mohd Ezam is serving a separate two-year sentence at the Kajang Prision for violating the Official Secrets Act.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said their release probably saved Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad from international scorn at the G8 Summit in Swiss and French cities near Evian.

The premier is participating at the ongoing G8 Summit Informal Dialogue in his capacity as the chairperson of Non-Aligned Movement.

"The continued detention of the reformasi activists would make nonsense of the Kuala Lumpur NAM summit final document on human rights," said Lim, who is former ISA detainee, in a press statement.

The veteran politician also criticised the transfer of Tian and Hishamuddin to the Taiping prison pending bail arrangements.

"It is most unwarranted, unnecessary and deplorable, as it gives the impression of spitefulness and vindictiveness on the part of the authorities," he added.

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, who is also an ex-ISA detainee, said the experience gained during their detention will make the released leaders better.

"They will also strengthen the leadership of the soon-to-be-merged Parti Keadilan Rakyat," he said in a statement.

Real reason

Also welcoming the release were the national human rights organisation (Hakam), social reform movement Aliran and the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH).

"The people remain in the dark what is the real reason for their detention, except that the failure of the authorities to charge then in open court fortifies widespread belief that the act has been abused and misused to stifle legitimate political dissent," said Hakam' president Ramdas Tikamdas in a statement.

SCAH, which also called for the abolishment of the controversial security law, said the release of the four reformasi activists was long overdue.

While Aliran said the remaining two detainees should also be freed and called on the public to remember other citizens still detained under the ISA.

'There is no need to release then in two instalments. The minister is empowered to lift their detention order anytime he wishes," said the movement in a statement.

According to a report by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), as of June last year there are 133 people still detained under the law at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping.

ISA was enacted by the British to deal with the communist insurgency but over the years, it has attracted both local foreign condemnation for being used as a tool to stifle dissent.

Under the law, a person deemed to be a threat to national security can be held for a period of two years without trial once an order is inked by the home minister, who can later choose to extend the detention period.