Keadilan Youth Chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor was reunited with his family and supporters today when the Shah Alan High Court allowed his bail application.

Thunderous applause followed Justice K N Segara's decision to allow Ezam's application for a stay of execution pending his appeal against conviction and a two-year jail sentence for breach of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

The judge made the ruling minutes after hearing a two-hour submission by Ezam's lawyer Zainur Zakaria and deputy public prosecutor Tun Majid Tun Hamzah, who objected to the application.

Clear guidelines

Segara said the law in granting bail and stay of execution has clear and strict guidelines and that he was satisfied Ezam had fulfilled the requirements for the court to allow the application.

"The court also took into consideration that the applicant has already served half of the sentence. In the best interests of the applicant (Ezam), the court feels that the stay of execution pending appeal should be granted. The bail is set at RM20,000 in one surety," the judge said.

After the hearing today, Ezam told reporters that the decision marked a new era for the judiciary in the country.

"I remain steadfast in my stand and struggle for reformasi and, despite having been incarcerated for 26 months, this has not changed," said Ezam, who had led several reformasi demonstrations before he was detained for two years under the Internal Security Act (ISA) from April 2001.

"I will go on with the struggle for reformasi. I remain steadfast to the belief that peaceful protests, which are within our constitutional rights, should be permitted."

Last August, he was transferred from Kamunting detention camp to Kajang prison to begin serving the jail sentence after being convicted of breaching the OSA. Even if he had filed a bail application then, he would not have been released from custody.

He said his immediate attention would be to focus on freeing jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. ( photo )

"We can now concentrate in fighting for Datuk Seri Anwar who must be given his right to seek the medical treatment of his choice. I think today's decision has a bearing on his (Anwar's) case and we must continue to fight for it (Anwar's freedom)," he said.

He also plans to meet with other youth leaders within a week, after which he pledged to issue "an important statement".

Mobbed by supporters

When the court was adjourned, a clearly ecstatic Ezam was mobbed by his family, friends and supporters as he stood in the dock. Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had to struggle through the crowd to congratulate him.

His supporters then escorted him out of the courtroom where about 80 people waited armed with 'welcome home' signs and placards. PAS leader Khalid Samad led a short prayer, before the supporters began their shouts of reformasi .

Ezam's wife, Bahirah Tajul Aris, said she and their three children were overjoyed and that their immediate plan was to visit Ezam's mother, who has been hospitalised for depression.

As soon as Keadilan vice president Dr Xavier Jeyakumar posted bail, Ezam left for Kajang prison to sign his release documents.

Ezam was among six Keadilan leaders and reformasi activists detained under the ISA for allegedly trying to topple the government through militant means - a charge they have denied.

He is the fourth detainee to be released since June 1, after Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua , supreme council member Saari Sungib and malaysiakini

columnist-cum-film maker Hishamuddin Rais.

Only Keadilan leaders Lokman Adam and Dr Badrulamin Bahron remain in Kamunting, although they may be released on Thursday when their detention orders expire.