The New York-based Human Rights Watch today urged the government to release seven Jemaah Islamiah suspects whose Internal Security Act (ISA) detention orders will expire tomorrow.

"After two years, the government's claim that they must hold these seven men without charge in order to continue investigations no longer makes sense," said its Asia division deputy director Sam Zia-Zarifi in a statement.

"If the government has enough evidence to bring these men to trial, then it should do so. If not, then they should be released immediately," he added.

The seven - Shukry Omar Talib, Muhamad Faiq Hafidh, Shahrial Sirin, Mohammed Kadar, Abdullah Daud, Muhamad Ismail Anuawarul and Sharil Hat - were arrested in January 2002 for allegedly being involved in the regional terrorist network.

Last Saturday, the detention orders of six other JI detainees were also extended for an additional two years under the security law which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

Taking advantage

A frequent critic of Malaysia's use of the ISA, the Human Rights Watch said all the men who have been detained under the law on terrorism charges were initially denied access to legal counsel.

"According to family members interviewed by HRW, security officials promised the men they would receive an early release if they "cooperate", which means, in part, that the detainees would not challenge their detention in court or speak to the media or human rights groups," said Zia-Zarifi.

The human rights watchdog also criticised the government for taking advantage of the 'war on terror' to justify detaining the alleged militants indefinitely.

"Given the sad history of abuse under the ISA, no one can take the Malaysian government at its word. These seven men deserve their day in court," said Zia-Zarifi.

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.