The Federal Court will hear an appeal on June 18 against High Court judge Augustine Paul's decision to dismiss the habeas corpus applications of five Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

Defence counsel R Sivarasa, when contacted today said he was "concerned with the delay as the appeal was filed on April 25".

"We are trying to obtain earlier dates," he added.

The habeas corpus applications of Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, party youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, reformasi activist Saari Sungib, social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais, and Free Anwar Campaign (Freeanwar.com) webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin were thrown out by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on April 25 when Justice Paul ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter.

A total of 10 opposition leaders and reformasi activists have been detained since April 10 to preempt what Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai described in a press conference as a "militant" attempt to overthrow the government with "bombs, grenade launchers, ball bearings, Molotov cocktails and other weapons".

May 30 decision

Sivarasa also said the habeas corpus applications of Keadilan leader Dr Badrul Amin Baharom, party youth leader Lokman Noor Adam and human rights activists Badaruddin Ismail were scheduled to be heard at the Shah Alam High Court on June 14.

Badrul was arrested on April 20, Lokman on April 24 and Badaruddin on April 26

"We are also trying to get earlier dates for these three habeas corpus applications," said Sivarasa. The applications were filed on behalf of the three by family members on May 4.

The decision on the habeas corpus applications of two other detainees, Keadilan leaders Abdul Ghani Haroon and N Gobalakrishnan, will be delivered by Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus on May 30 at the Shah Alam High Court.

Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or a judge to ascertain whether their detention is lawful.