A coalition of non-government organisations today condemned the government for the two-year detention of four reformasi activists under the Internal Security Act for allegedly seeking to topple the government through militant means.

People's Manifesto Initiative (PMI) spokesperson Irene Xavier said the NGOs regretted that the government insisted on being "undemocratic and unaccountable" despite persistent calls from the public to release the detainees.

"We regret the recalcitrant actions of the government. They said they had enough proof to send the four to the detention camp. We do not accept such contorted logic," said Xavier.

"Our stand is clear. Produce the detainees in court or else we will continue to say that these four are victims of your political game. These games do not amuse us," she added.

Last Saturday, Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, party Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib and film director-artiste-writer Hishamuddin Rais were sent to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak on orders of Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Meanwhile, Free Anwar Campaign director Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin was released unconditionally on the same day, while human rights NGO Suaram activist Badaruddin Ismail was set free two days ago.

Two other Keadilan youth leaders N Gobalakrishnan and Abdul Ghani Haroon were released by the Shah Alam High Court last Wednesday on grounds that their detention was unlawful, conducted in bad faith and the evidence against them were vague.

The remaining two, Keadilan youth leaders Lokman Noor Adam and Dr Badrul Amin Baharom, who is also International Islamic University lecturer, are still in police custody.

Show grounds

Xavier said Malaysians were eager to see what grounds the police have against the four.

"We are talking here about the rights of human beings to defend themselves. If you cannot allow citizens in this country to do this, you are not fit to govern the country," she said.

"Your (government's) argument that the people elected you does not hold water. You are still accountable. We do not say that you have no right to accuse. You have this right but we ask that you exercise this right in a more transparent manner," she added.

Xavier said since the government keeps asking civil society to be responsible, "we ask the same of you. Be more responsible in the exercise of your power."

Yesterday, Abdullah, who is also deputy prime minister, hit back at US criticism of his decision to detain without trial the four opposition activists, saying the action was not taken "for fun".

"The country does not need outside interference in its internal affairs," Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying.

"This country is our responsibility ... we take action against anyone who breaks the law," he added.

Protesters warned

The US State Department said on Tuesday it was "deeply concerned" at the decision to detain four opposition activists for up to two years.

Spokesperson Richard Boucher said the actions "seem intended to prevent the detainees, against whom there are no criminal charges, from exercising internationally recognised rights of free speech, political expression, and assembly".

Xavier called on Malaysians to join in the rally outside Abdullah's residence planned for tomorrow to demand the immediate release of the ISA detainees.

However, police chief Norian Mai yesterday warned that action would be taken against protesters as the demonstration is deemed illegal.

PMI comprises 11 NGOs, namely ERA Consumer, Bosses Group, Ex-ISA Detainees Group, Gabungan Rumah Panjang, Group of Concerned Citizens, Jawatankuasa Sokongan Peneroka Bandar, Majlis Graduan Malaysia, Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat,, Suaram, and Women's Candidacy Initiative.