Supporters of a group of hunger-striking Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees today staged a sit-in at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) headquarters to protest against the commission's alleged lack of concern for the health of the detainees.

Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) secretary Yap Swee Seng said family members and supporters of 16 alleged members of the Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM) started gathering at Suhakam from 11:30 this morning. Some 30 people participated in the protest.

"There has been no response by Suhakam to the hunger strike although all but two of the detainees have collapsed out of weakness.

"We were told Suhakam secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria that the commissioners will only be discussing the matter on Monday. By then, it may be too late," he said.

Yap said family members of the detainees have indicated their intention to remain at Suhakam overnight to press home their concerns.

Symbolic gesture

However it was learnt that later in the evening the protesters left Suhakam after they were given an assurance by commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan that he has spoken to the authorities from the Kamunting detention centre.

"Hamdan told us he had asked for doctors from the Taiping hospital to visit the detainees tomorrow," said Yap.

Hamdan and Kamaruddin were unavailable for comments.

The KMM detainees, held since 2001, started their hunger strike on Tuesday by refusing all food and drinks. The move is in protest of the extension of their ISA detention orders last September.

They have also been joined by another group of Jemaah Islamiah detainees who have rejected foodstuff prepared by the Kamunting camp authorities in a symbolic gesture of support. The latter group, however, is not fasting and has been purchasing provisions from the camp canteen.

Among the KMM suspects is Nik Adli, the son of PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat.