A former top judge has reminisced how, after he ordered the release of two Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees 14 years ago, he was subjected to criticism from the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, then de facto law minister Rais Yatim and deputy minister M Kayveas.

Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus said after delivering his decision in the case of Abdul Ghani Haroon and N Gobalakrishnan, in which he ordered the release of the two, he went on leave. Then, a Special Branch officer (SB) came to his office and asked his secretary for his biodata.