Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor continues to suffer from health problems since he was put in the Kamunting detention centre early last month, his wife told malaysiakini today.

"His hands still shake and he is also suffering from hair loss,"said Bahirah Tajol Aris.

She added that she had written to the centre's authorities to voice her concern, but no reply has been forthcoming.

"His health is deteriorating and I have asked the authorities to give him a complete medical check-up but they have not responded," Bahirah said.

Ezam, who is also Keadilan Youth chief, together with party vice-president Tian Chua, youth leader Lokman Nor Adam, party supreme council member Saari Sungib, party leader Dr Badrul Amin Bahron and social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais were arrested in a police dragnet beginning April 10 for alleged involvement in a "militant attempt" to overthrow the government.

They were later given a two-year detention order signed by Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi while four other arrestees were released by the police unconditionally.

Bahirah saw her husband this morning when Ezam and the four other detainees, namely Tian, Hishamuddin, Lokman and Badrul, were brought to the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur today for the ongoing hearing of their involvement in illegal assemblies.

The five face charges of illegal assemblies on Sept 11 and Sept 19, 1999, and March 3, 2000. They were protesting over allegations that former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was poisoned with arsenic while in detention after his sacking in 1999 and the limit imposed on the distribution of PAS organ Harakah .

Recharge

This morning, they were all discharged, not amounting to an acquittal, as the nature of the offences was not specified.

However, they were recharged at the same court under Section 27(5) of the Police Act for illegal assembly.

The recharge would allow the prosecutors to make proper amendments to the charge.

Under the Police Act, 1967, the police have to specify the nature of the offences for those arrested under Section 27 which deals with police power to regulate assemblies, meetings and processions.

Offenders can be fined up to RM10,000, jailed up to a year, or both.

The cases against the five will be separately mentioned in the same court on Sept 17, 19 and Oct 2.