The decision to release an opposition leader from detention under the Internal Security Act recently was made by the Home Affairs Ministry review board, Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.

Asked about the release of Keadilan leader Dr Badrul Amin Bahron, the minister said, "As a result of the investigation, the review board must have found that he should be allowed to go."

However, he refused to comment if the release meant there was no case against Badrul.

He said the board is made up of lawyers and judges who will study all the ISA detention cases periodically.

"The police will put forward their arguments or whatever and then the board will study them and make a decision after deliberation. If they think that particular person should be released, he will be released," Abdullah said at a press conference held after the launch of Dataran Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.

Badrul was released from the Kamunting Detention Camp last Saturday after spending five months there. The release came with several restrictions that include a ban on him holding political party posts and activities.

Abdullah, who is also the deputy prime minister, declined to comment if Badrul's release was related to his health condition.

It was earlier reported that Badrul's health was deteriorating in the detention centre and that blood was found in his urine sample sent for medical tests. The authorities have neither denied nor confirmed the reports.

Badrul, a Keadilan supreme council member and a party division chief in Selangor, was among 10 people arrested by police in April for allegedly trying to topple the government via militant means and street demonstrations.

Four were subsequently released unconditionally but the rest were sent away in June for a further detention of two years.

Aside from Badrul, the others were Keadilan leaders Tian Chua, Saari Sungib, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Lokman Noor Adam, and social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais.

On whether the other five ISA detainees are currently under review for their release, Abdullah said, "There are no reports about them. When the reports come to me, I will know."