Five Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, arrested for allegedly being members of the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM), were released today and placed under restricted residence.

In a statement, human rights organisation Suaram said the five were Muhammad Azian Abdul Rahman, Murad Halimmuddin Hassan, Mat Salleh Said, Asfawani Abdullah and Muhamad Zulkepli Md Isa.

The five were arrested under the security law, which provides for detention without trial, in 2001 following a police crackdown on alleged KMM members.

KMM has been accused of procuring firearms from Thailand, being involved in the slaying of politician Dr Joe Fernandez, ordering the killing of Muslim apostates and possessing explosive substance.

Suaram coordinator Yap Swee Seng said they came to know of the release when Murad's wife Solehah Hussin went to visit him at the Kamunting Detention Centre this morning but was told that her husband and four others were freed.

Contacted later, Solelah said she was elated that her husband had been freed but was reluctant to reveal more.

Restricted residence

Yap, who is also the Abolish ISA Movement (ISA) secretary, said while AIM welcomed the release it also regretted that the five had been placed under restricted residence.

In view of this, he urged the government to lift the restricted residence order, which proves to be an obstacle for detainees to secure jobs.

"It only delays the process for them to return to a normal life and be accepted by society," he added.

Yap also questioned why the other ISA detainees arrested on similar grounds have not been freed.

"Are the rest of the detainees not released because they have filed habeas corpus applications and participated in the hunger strike?

"Are the five released because they pulled out the habeas corpus applications recently after immense pressure from the police special branch?" he said.

Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.

In March, 16 ISA detainees launched a hunger strike to demand that they be charged in court or freed.