Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Hishamuddin Rais today told his family today that he would write a book on his experiences in detention when he is released.

Though he appeared spirited, the social activist-cum-writer who has a column in malaysiakini looked pale and thin, according to five family members who met him at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters at about 3pm.

"He will write a book on his experiences while in detention and he sends his regards to all his friends and supporters," said his sister, Khamsiah.

Khamsiah, her father Rais Abdul Manaf and siblings Hamdah, Nordin and Mazinah met Hishamuddin for about 45 minutes and it was the first time they had seen him since he was arrested on April 10.

His brother Nordin told malaysiakini that the meeting took place "in a small room and there were packet drinks and fruits on the table."

Four plainclothes police personnel believed to be from the Special Branch remained in the room throughout the meeting while five waited outside.

When asked about Hishamuddin's physical condition, Khamsiah said he was dressed in a pair of slacks and a long-sleeved shirt, adding that her brother was suffering from a skin rash on his back.

"He has been seeing a doctor for his skin condition every Saturday but we do not know if he had the condition before or during the detention. We were afraid to ask too many questions," she said.

"He told me that the interrogation had stopped and thinks that he would be released soon but doesn't know about the other detainees. He said he was not involved in any of the political activities.

"He also told us not to talk to reporters and politicise the issue but I am only here to tell the truth about the visit," Khamsiah said, adding that the police had provided Hishamuddin with religious reading material.

Play-acting

Meanwhile, Nordin said his brother "was speaking unnaturally".

"I have lived with him long enough to know when he sounds unnatural. He seemed like he was play-acting," he said.

Khamsiah said that Hishamuddin also light-heartedly enquired about his cats and had asked his father to convey his greetings to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Rais Yatim.

Hishamuddin's father was a former Umno activist known to have close ties with the minister.

Hishamuddin's uncle, Jalaludin Abdul Manaf, said he had wanted to show his nephew a copy of a letter from his lawyers but was not allowed to do so. "They did not even allow me or my wife to see him," he complained.

Khamsiah said the family will apply to the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters to visit Hishamuddin again.

Habeas corpus

Hishamuddin and nine others, mainly Keadilan leaders were arrested in a police dragnet launched on April 10. Following the initial arrests, police said the detainees were planning to topple the government through 'militant means'.

Hishamuddin's habeas corpus application together with Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, party youth leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, reformasi activist Saari Sungib and Free Anwar Campaign (Freeanwar.com) webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin were quashed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on April 25. An appeal will be heard by the Federal Court on June 18.

Other detainees who have been given visiting rights are Ezam, Chua, Saari, Raja Petra, Badrul and another party youth leader Lokman Noor Adam whereas three other detainees, human rights activist Badaruddin Ismail, party leaders N Gobalakrishnan and Abdul Ghani Haroon are yet to meet their families.

The decision on Gobalakrishnan and Abdul Ghani's habeas corpus applications will be announced by the Shah Alam High court judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus on May 30.

Meanwhile, the habeas corpus applications by Badaruddin, Lokman and Badrul are set to be heard, also at the Shah Alam High Court, on June 14.