Reform movement Aliran today said it deplored the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the seven activists engaged in "legitimate dissent", stating that there was no justification at all for its use.

"(Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad's government is badly mistaken if it thinks that the people of Malaysia still believe that ISA detention is proof of the culpability, let alone guilt," said the Aliran executive committee in a press statement.

The movement said that in using the ISA to detain political opponents and critics without trial, Mahathir's government had merely exposed its continuing intolerance of legal, non-violent, and democratic opposition.

The movement called the government to charge the seven detainees in an open court or immediately release them.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai today said that the seven were arrested under the ISA for being involved in negotiations to buy arms to be used to topple the government. He said police received intelligence reports that the activists were in the midst of buying grenade launchers and explosives.

Grave concern

The seven are Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, Youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, N Gobala Krishnan, Saari Sungib and Abdul Ghani Harun, malaysiakini columnist and social activist Hishamuddin Rais and the Free Anwar Campaign (Freeanwar.com) webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

They were detained between 5pm yesterday and 10am today.

The Malaysian chapter of Amnesty International (AI) also expressed its "grave" concern on the detention of the seven and called for their immediate release.

In a statement, its chairperson Joseph Paul said if they are not released, they should be charged in a court of law.

"The government should ensure complete transparency in the way the detainees are treated and safeguard their rights and dignity," said Paul.

Reconsider call

In a another statement, the Bar Council said investigations into those detained should be done under provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and other related laws.

"The ISA cannot be invoked by the police for the purposes of carrying out police investigations," said council chairman Mah Weng Kwai.

"The council calls on the police authorities to carry out their investigations under the usual criminal provisions and not under the ISA and charge the seven in court," he said.

Mah also urged home minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to review and reconsider the use of the ISA and not to sign any orders under the Act.

The home minister's approval is needed for those arrested under the ISA to be further detained after the initial 60-day investigation period.

Mah said that the government must respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression as provided for under the Federal Constitution.

He added that the council does not condone any alleged threats to national security but feels that those responsible should not be dealt with under the ISA.