(AFP) latest version The police confirmed today they have arrested seven opposition supporters under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and said more arrests would be made.

Asked how many more people would be arrested, the national police chief Norian Mai told a press conference: "That's a secret."

Norian, reading a statement, said the seven reformasi supporters were detained yesterday and today "because there was information about their involvement in an activity which could endanger the security of the country."

Militant action

He said they planned to launch "large-scale street demonstrations in a militant way ahead of the 2004 elections".

Supporters of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim planned to present a memorandum on his treatment to the human rights commission on Saturday, April 14.

They call the date "Black 14" since it marks the second anniversary of Anwar's sentencing on April 14, 1999, for abuse of power. Norian said the event could have turned into a riot.

From Jan 6 to April 4, he said, some 20 activists had held 12 secret meetings to persuade the public to take part in militant street demonstrations.

"They plan to gather 50,000 people. The gathering and the procession has the potential to transform into a riot," the police chief said.

Norian said activists were prepared to carry out activities outside the constitution to achieve their objectives. Their detention was to enable the police to carry out in-depth probe.

"Reformasi" activities that began in September 1998 with Anwar's arrest aimed to topple the government by mass demonstrations, he said.

Arrests initiated by police

Asked if there was a shift in the government's policy of not wanting to use the ISA, Norian said: "You ask the government." The arrests were initiated by the police, he said.

Norian said that the reformasi activists had tried to obtain explosives including rocket launchers and to use petrol bombs and other dangerous weapons to attack security forces.

The group had tried to garner the support of Malay self-defense ( silat ) instructors and former security personnel, he charged.

Norian said police took action against 28 activists in late 1998 - when Anwar and 27 others were detained under the ISA - but only managed to contain them for a short period.

The movement relaunched its activities in 1999 under the guise of a political party, he said, in a reference to the National Justice Party led by Anwar's wife.

Norian described the threat posed by the group as serious.

"It must be serious enough to warrant arrest under the ISA."

Colonial relic

The ISA, a colonial relic designed to defeat a communist rebellion, allows indefinite detention without trial.

"It's a draconian law which they are using to stifle dissent," said Chandra Muzaffar, deputy president Keadilan.

"Keadilan has been singled out (in the arrests) in an attempt to crush the party."

The police statement named the seven as Keadilan youth wing leader Ezam Mohamad Noor (34); his deputy N Gopalapkrishan (41); Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua (37); Saari Sungip (43), a member of its policymaking council; activists Hishamuddin Rais (50) and Abdul Ghani Haroon (36); and Raja Petra Kamarudin (49), director of the FreeAnwar Campaign.

Opposition sources and local media reports said earlier that Anwar's former private secretary Azmin Ali had also been arrested. It was not clear if police plan to detain him.

Police action

The crackdown was the first widespread use of the ISA against political figures since Anwar and numerous supporters were detained in September 1998.

Opposition leaders said they suspected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad himself ordered the crackdown, saying his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had earlier appeared unaware that the ISA was being used.

Police can hold a suspect for 60 days under the act but must then get Abdullah's approval.

Syed Husin Ali, president of the Malaysian People's Party, called for clarification on whether Mahathir personally ordered the arrests.

Last week the veteran premier accused opposition parties and their "foreign sympathisers" of trying to topple his government through street violence.

The government was ready to break from "so-called international norms" to preserve peace, he said.

Gathering declared illegal

Mahathir's former protege Anwar is serving a total 15-year jail term after being convicted in separate trials of abuse of power and sodomy.

Anwar says he was framed on the orders of Mahathir because he was seen as posing a political threat to him. Mahathir says he sacked Anwar in September 1998 for immorality and denies interfering in the judicial process.

Opposition supporters planned to gather outside the city centre office of the national human rights commission on "Black 14" to present a memorandum on Anwar's case.

Norian told reporters earlier today that the gathering had been declared illegal. He was speaking at a ceremony at which four police water cannon were brought into service.

Police launched a massive operation to derail "Black 14" protests last year, setting up roadblocks on approaches to the capital, mounting helicopter flights and posting armed officers at train stations.