Three Internal Security Act detainees, held since April, will be brought before a Home Affairs Ministry advisory board tomorrow which will hear their appeal for an early release.

Keadilan leaders Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Lokman Nor Adam and social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais will meet the board tomorrow morning at the Kamunting Detention Centre, Taiping where the three are being held.

The detainees' two-year detention orders were signed by the Home Affairs Minister in June on the recommendation of the police who claimed there was a need to detain the three further.

Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff, Lokman's lawyer, told malaysiakini today that Hishamuddin and Ezam would be represented by R Sivarasa and Hasnal Rezuan Merican at the board hearing.

He added that the advisory board would be chaired by Mohd Zaki Yasin from the Attorney-General's Chambers.*

Under Section 10 of the ISA, detainees have the right to appeal against their detention every six months before a three-member panel presided over by a civil servant.

The board's recommendations would then be forwarded to the Yang DiPertuan Agong who will then deliberate the matter.

Federal Court appeal

Hishamuddin, Lokman and Ezam were among 10 arrested under the ISA during a police dragnet beginning April 10 for their alleged involvement in a "militant attempt to overthrow the government".

They were sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre in early June to serve out a two-year detention order.

Other Keadilan leaders that were also detained for two years under the ISA were vice-president Tian Chua and supreme council members Saari Sungib and Dr Badrul Amin Bahron.

According to M Moganambal, another of Hishamuddin's lawyers, Tian Chua had appeared before the advisory board last Wednesday.

The six detainees are also appealing against their ISA detention through the Federal Court.

* Editor's note

: The name of the chairperson of the board has been corrected on Sept 3. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.