In an unexpected development, the Home Ministry today released two groups of alleged militants from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

Those released today are 15 individuals accused of being members of the al-Ma'unah group and four of 13 Karachi students who were detained exactly two weeks ago on allegations that they had undergone militant training in Pakistan.

Anti-ISA Movement (AIM) coordinator Badaruddin Ismail said the al-Ma'unah detainees were released early this morning from the Kamunting detention camp in Perak.

"Some of them were released as early as 8am. As of 11:30 this morning, we know that only three more former detainees were waiting for taxis to return to their homes," he said.

The 15 men had been held since Aug 30, 2000, on allegations of involvement with the al-Ma'unah organisation which earned notoriety when several of the group's members carried out a daring arms heist from a military camp in Perak in July 2000.

Of more than 40 persons arrested, 29 were subsequently charged and found guilty of waging war against the king. They received varied sentences, ranging from 10 years' jail for lower-ranking members and the death penalty for top leaders.

The remaining 15 who were not charged in court were detained under the ISA. Their two-year detention orders were renewed last year.

Completed investigations

Meanwhile, Badaruddin said family members of four of the 13 Karachi students have confirmed that the youths arrived at their respective homes this morning after being released by the police.

The four are Mohd Tarmizi Nordin, 16, Ahmad Muaz al Bakry, 21, Ahmad Firdaus Kamaruddin, 18, and Amin Ahmad, 20.

He said three of the students Tarmizi, Ahmad Muaz and Ahmad Firdaus were sent to their homes by the police while the fourth student, Amin, was allowed to leave with his parents who had come from Raub, Pahang, for a scheduled visit.

When contacted, a lawyer representing nine of the Karachi 13 students, Latheefa Koya, said she was informed by a Bukit Aman police personnel that the police had completed their investigations into the activities of the four released this morning.

Latheefa said police spokesperson Benjamin Hasbie confirmed the development but could not say when the remaining nine students would be released.

The lawyer and a group of anti-ISA activists had gathered at the federal police headquarters this morning to submit a memorandum to Inspector General of Police Mohamed Bakri Omar calling for the release of the students before the festivities.

"Five family members were present during our meeting with Benjamin and they had asked for the students to be released.

"The (spokesperson) said the remaining students could be released today and he would keep us updated on the developments," she added.

Other alleged militants

Questioned about the possible reasons for the releases, Badaruddin said the authorities could have made the decision due to the legal challenge by family members against the detentions.

"The decision could also have been made because of the Hari Raya festivities and because it would also be good for the image of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," he said.

Habeas corpus

applications seeking the release of nine students had been made by family members of the youths at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The case, which was last heard on Saturday, had been adjourned until Dec 11.

During the proceedings, the students' counsel Edmund Bon had told the court that the detentions had violated provisions of the Child Act 2001 which prohibit detention without trial any persons under the age of 18.

Two of the former al-Ma'unah detainees Che Wan Mustaffa Che Wan Kaman, 35, and Mokhtar Senik, 39 - had also filed separate habeas corpus applications at the KL High Court in September seeking their release.

The applications, which were supposed to serve as test cases for the other detainees held for similar reasons, were made based on repeated recommendations for the release of the men by the ISA review board.

On a related matter, Badaruddin said today's releases appeared not to have affected other alleged militants still held under the ISA.

Based on figures released by the National Economic Action Council last June, at least 58 alleged members of the Jemaah Islamiah organisation and 18 alleged members of the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia remain in detention.

Release welcomed

In an immediate reaction to the release, the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) lauded the move but called on the government to free the remaining 10 student detainees.

"We believe that there is no strong evidence against the students... If indeed the police and the government have evidence to prove their case, they should take to court any suspect to be tried fairly, and not to conveniently detain them under ISA without trial," said party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali in a joint press statement.

While the two opposition leaders conceded that the release would put newly-minted prime minister Abdullah in "quite good light", they urged him not to follow the footstep of his predecessor, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Lest we forget, Mahathir Mohamad also released some detainees soon after he became prime minister. Abdullah is repeating what Mahathir did. But Mahathir became increasingly intolerant, unjust and, in fact, more authoritarian the longer he stayed in office."