Six Internal Security Act detainees have refused to eat food provided by authorities at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak to protest against the camp's refusal to resolve a long list of grouses.

The six are also boycotting a number of camp activities including attending religious classes and exercising in the yard, which they are instructed to do each morning.

Cheah Kah Peng, who is Tian Chua's legal counsel, said today this 'non-cooperative action' began last night when their request to meet with the camp superintendent was ignored.

He said the detainees had sent a letter to the superintendent on Sept 3 requesting a meeting to resolve their complaints relating to their food, medical needs and living conditions.

"They will carry on with the protest until the camp authorities meet with them," Cheah told malaysiakini .

Apart from Chua - who is Keadilan vice-president - the other five reformasi detainees are the party's youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam, Dr Badrul Amin Bahron and malaysiakini columnist-cum-filmmaker Hishamudin Rais, all of whom are serving a two-year detention order at Kamunting.

The six are detained under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial, for allegedly seeking to topple the government via militant means.

Poor food

According to Cheah, the detainees, since they were detained, have not been given the food they requested for.

"Out of 14 meals a week, four consist of salted fish and rice. This diet has seriously affected their health,"said Cheah.

Instead of taking meals provided by the camp, the six seek to survive on food brought in by their families every week.

He said the six have also been banned from mixing with other ISA detainees and are only allowed to go to the common yard every morning to sing the national anthem and exercise.

Cheah added that the detainees were kept in isolation and contact with other detainees is not permitted.

According to the lawyer, five of the detainees who are Muslims are also not allowed to congregate and hold their Friday prayers together.

"These five are protesting against the camp authorities about their religious rights. Their right to perform their religious obligations has been denied," he said.