The Dewan Rakyat reconvened today, setting the stage for a reunion of sorts for four former Internal Security Act detainees and their supporters among the opposition members of Parliament.

Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua and party leaders Saari Sungib, Lokman Adam and Dr Badrulamin Bahron were at the Parliament House this morning to pay a courtesy call on MPs including PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

They thanked opposition MPs who had consistently questioned and debated issues linked to the ISA over the past two years.

The four were among six reformasi leaders held for interrogation in April 2001 and then detained from June for two years for allegedly trying to topple the government through militant means - a charge they denied.

They were released in two batches, on June 1 and June 12 respectively.

On behalf of the group, Tian ( middle ) called on all MPs to step up support to abolish the ISA and to free the remaining detainees in the Kamunting Detention Camp.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) estimates that some 100 detainees are still being held there, mainly comprising those suspected of being militants and religious extremists.

Human rights violation

"Although we were under incarceration, we felt the power of the call to repeal ISA," Tian told reporters later.

"The Parliament was the institution which passed the ISA in1960. It is the also the body which can abolish the Act, which is no longer relevant."

Hadi ( left ) said the law violates human rights as well as Islamic teachings, while Wan Azizah called for the release of the remaining ISA detainees.

"During the question-and-answer session this morning, the House was told that the opposition parties had tainted the country's image, resulting in the low direct foreign investment," Wan Azizah said.

"I opposed this statement strongly...the real reason is that the ruling government has kept on abusing human rights through the ISA."

Responding to a question, she said street demonstrations had succeeded in drawing media attention to ISA detentions, but added that other avenues exist for the campaign to be continued.

Wan Azizah ( photo ) expressed support for those families of other detainees who may wish to approach the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) and take up the fight.

'Government unworried'

Speaking to malaysiakini later, Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin ( right ) denied that the ISA violates human rights or that it has been abused by the government as a political weapon.

"How can you say the government abuses the Act? When you are not freed, you say (this is a) violation of human rights; When you come out (of detention), you also say that human rights are being violated," he said..

"If it is a political weapon, then the government could have arrested all the opposition politicians."

Zainal said the government was not worried about the international pressure that AIM may stir up through its campaign, saying that voters have consistently been supportive of Barisan Nasional.

"The government will only do what is good for the public...when it comes to the (general) election, the people will make their judgement. (Past) election results can prove (that there is support)," he said.

On the move by the ex-ISA 6 to file a suit against the government and the police over their 'illegal' detention, the deputy minister said this was their right and that they were free to do so.