(AFP) Members of the opposition called today for the release of six activists and a student leader who are being held without trial under a controversial security law.

Youth wing leaders from the Barisan Alternatif alliance, commemorating the 100th day in detention for most activists, visited the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to present a memorandum.

Suhakam has already urged that the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows indefinite detention without trial, be amended or repealed.

The opposition youth leaders asked the rights body to hold an inquiry into the detainees' health.

"Detention without trial under the ISA is a dangerous form of disregard of human rights," said Mahfuz Omar, of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia.

Public inquiry

The memorandum also called for a public inquiry into the ISA arrest of two student activists, one of whom was released on Monday.

The six activists - supporters of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim - have been ordered detained in a prison camp for up to two years.

The government says they planned violent street protests to end Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 20-year rule, although no evidence of this has been made public.

Mahfuz said the government's total disregard for the call by Suhakam, an insitution formed by parliament, to repeal the ISA showed the "complete power that Mahathir has over the country.

"From three governing institutions (the legislative, judiciary and executive bodies), now there is just one institution - that is, Mahathir," he told reporters.

"This is Mahathir's 20-year anniversary gift to the people."