Opposition party leaders and human rights groups have today condemned the five-day extension of the detention of two SOS (Save Ourselves) members who had attempted to confront Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon over the controversial repeal of the Rent Control Act.

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said that the detention of SOS leader Ong Boon Keong and member Ooi Chuan Seng in connection with the attempt by a group of pre-war premises tenants to seek the chief minister's intervention during a heritage function in Georgetown last Friday was "completely unnecessary and a gross abuse of power".

"What is there for the police to further investigate in this case when it is a very simple and straightforward case of the SOS and the tenants to seek Koh's response on the Act and his refusal to give personal attention to this problem despite several approaches?" questioned Lim.

Ong and his group has sought to meet Koh twice over the past week. Last Friday, a number of SOS members attempted to stop Koh's car with a long banner in their bid to talk to the chief minister.

Lim called for Koh and other Gerakan leaders to make their stand clear on the detention of the activists.

"Gerakan leaders should come forward to declare whether they agree that it is proper and justified that Ong and Ooi should be detained for another five days or whether they agree this is incompletely unwarranted," he said.

A third SOS member Leong Yuet Khau was arrested yesterday afternoon when he turned himself in after it was announced that he was wanted by the police.

Meanwhile, human rights group Suaram called for the immediate release of the three SOS members, adding that their detention was a gross violation of human rights.

"The actions of Ong and other victims of the Act to express their opposition and seek clarification from the state government were perfectly legitimate. The Constitution clearly allows for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly," Suaram coordinator S. Arutchelvan said.

He added that the Penang state government was solely responsible for the "quit" rent issue.

"It is our opinion that the Penang state government has failed miserably to resolve the issue of 'quit' control," he said.

Arutchelvam also expressed shock over a police statement that they were investigating to see if any politicians were behind Ong.

"This clearly reflects the police's intention to play politics rather then be law enforcers. It is sad that the whole issue of unreasonable increase in rental has been diverted to something else," Arutchelvam said.

His sentiment was echoed by Penang KeADILan deputy chairman Cheah Kah Peng.

"Ong's pressure tactics have been respectable, peaceful, and above the board. In the last week, he has resorted to intercepting Koh's entourage and car with banners, when the officers attended ribbon-cutting ceremonies. These are mild tactics by international standards, but has apparently been taken badly by the Penang government, which has no eloquent housing solution to speak of," he said.

Ong, popularly known as "Organic Ong", is a social and environmental activist who has devoted much of his life to sustainable development programme and organic farming. He was a key organiser in the successful campaign against the development of the Penang Hill in the early 90s.

Last year, he help found SOS, a group of 1,000 members championing the cause of people affected by the repeal of the Rent Control Act.