Malaysia should charge or release nine men held for two years under an internal security act, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

Most of the nine are members of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), the New York-based human rights watchdog said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch feared the Malaysian government could opt to extend the nine men's detention, which is to expire on September 23.

Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) allows suspects to be jailed indefinitely.

"Because of the secrecy of the process, no one outside the Malaysian security services knows what evidence there is against them," said Brad Adams, executive director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch.

The government alleged the men are connected with the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia, which it accuses of militant Islamic activity.

They have been held without charge or trial since August 2001.

Politically motivated

"There are indications that the arrests were politically motivated to weaken PAS," Human Rights Watch said.

The detainees include Nik Adli, a PAS member and son of senior PAS cleric Nik Aziz; PAS youth wing leader Noorashid Sakip; and PAS youth committee member Lothfi Ariffin.

"The arrests came at a time when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's popularity was declining and PAS was on the rise," Human Rights Watch noted.

"In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and the Bali and Marriott hotel bombings in Indonesia, the Malaysian government has used the specter of terrorism to justify its continued use of the ISA."

"Since 1960, Prime Minister Mahathir and his predecessors have used the ISA to silence political opponents, human rights advocates and others," Human Rights Watch added. - AFP