Social reform movement Aliran today rapped the government for resorting to the Internal Security Act to detain without trial 13 men alleged to have links with Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia, a militant Islamic group.

In a press statement, the Penang-based organisation urged the police to present evidence against the 13 arrested and charge them in a court of law rather than detaining them under the ISA.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai last night announced the ISA arrest of the 13 and said one of them had links with the al-Qaeda terrorist network through Zacarias Mussaoui, a Moroccan of French nationality whom the United States has charged with terrorism.

The al-Qaeda network is led by Osama bin Laden whom the US has blamed for devastating Sept 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington DC.

Aliran said the United States has been pushing the theory of an international terrorist network operating in Southeast Asia.

"It appears that the Malaysian government subscribes to this theory," said Aliran in its statement adding, "If indeed the problem is as serious as it is made out to be and there is indeed such a terrorist network, then it can only be defeated if the government wins the hearts and minds of the people."

The doing away of an open trial in court for the 13 and other ISA detainees may also deter foreign investors and tourists from the country, it said.

Norian had said that the 13 arrested were a threat to national security and were planning to set up an Islamic government through militant means.

He added that the group was a new wing of the KMM whose alleged leader, Nik Adli Nik Aziz, son of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Nik Aziz Nik Mat, was detained under the ISA last year.

The police chief also said there were new KMM cells in various states throughout the country, with one cell in one state not being aware of those in other states.

All-party meeting

Meanwhile, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said that while he was confident that Malaysians would fully support the government in stamping out terrorist activities in the country, it should provide more information.

"The government must take the people into confidence and convince them of the case against every person arrested for being a terrorist," said Lim in a press statement today.

"Since the police seems to have amassed considerable evidence against KMM, it must be more forthcoming about information on terrorist groups in the country," he added.

Lim called on the police to organise an all-party meeting to disclose evidence gathered on KMM relating to its scale and activities and its intention to declare a jihad (Islamic holy war) to set up an Islamic government by force in the country.