The government should not detain the alleged members of Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM) any longer than necessary, and instead charge them in court as soon as possible, urged a Gerakan leader today.

Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said such a move to bring the detainees to an open court will help to dispel public perceptions of "authoritarianism".

However, he defended the use of the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) in maintaining the peace and serenity that Malaysians have enjoyed thus far, in contrast to the havoc and mayhem in other parts of the world caused by militants.

"The public should appreciate the police's effort and the law of preventive detention in checking and containing religious extremism in the country," said Vijayaratnam in a press statement.

Recently, 10 people, seven of whom were opposition members from PAS, were arrested by police under the ISA for their alleged involvement in several bank robberies, the murder of a political figure from the ruling coalition, and the bombing of a church and a temple.

Among them was Nik Adli Nik Abdul Aziz, the son of Kelantan Mentri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who had been identified by police as the group leader since 1999.

The arrests came under fire from opposition parties and civil groups who claimed that the government was creating a false impression of "Islamic fundamentalist threat" but the government maintained that the arrests were to stop militant activities in order to allay investors' fear.

White Paper

The New Straits Times today quoted Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying that the government may eventually publish a White Paper on the KMM.

Abdullah, who is also home affairs minister, reportedly said this would happen after police have obtained all the relevant information on the group's activities.

Early this month, DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang called on the government to table a White Paper in Parliament on the KMM to substantiate claims that the local 'militant' group is linked to international terrorists.

Vijayaratnam commended Abdullah's white paper proposal, saying it will serve to convince the public that the arrests were not part of an orchestrated political plot as alleged by the opposition.

He also sang the praises of the Special Branch, the intelligence division under the police force, for its competency in "acting speedily to put away undesirable, violent and destructive elements".

"The relative calm that prevails in Malaysia (as compared with neighbouring countries) is due to the vigilance and efficiency of law enforcement agencies," said Vijayaratnam.

Arms from the Philippines

Police are currently looking for five Malaysians, said to be KMM members who were responsible for a series of bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Late last month, police arrested two Malaysians and 13 Indonesians who were found in a boat off the coast of Tawau, Sabah, with a cache of weapons including two M16 rifles and six pistols.

On Friday, Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said those who were arrested were collecting firearms from Philippines from Islamic fighters waging a "holy war" in the Indonesian island of Ambon.

Yesterday, Abdullah reportedly claimed that Malaysia is now perceived as the new centre for Islamic terrorism and militant activities. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also in recent months warned about the rising "militant trend" among local varsity students.

Six reformasi leaders are currently serving a two-year detention order in the Kamunting detention camp in Perak. The six were said to have had attempted to seek help from foreign separatist groups to topple the government via militant means.