Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said 79 people are still being detained at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak, as at Aug 29.

In a parliamentary written reply issued in his capacity as internal security minister, he said there are several reasons for their detention.

"Many are detained for their involvement in (regional terrorism group) Jemaah Islamiah and Daulah Islamiah ," he said.

"(Some) are being detained for smuggling illegal immigrants, falsifying documents and passports and counterfeiting RM1 coins."

Those who have allegedly participated in separatist activities in southern Thailand are also among the detainees.

Abdullah was replying Ismail Noh (PAS-Pasir Mas) who wanted to know the current number of ISA detainees.

He also asked if the government is concerned with the situation of the detainees' children of schooling age.

Explaining, Abdullah said: "Even though strict action is taken against those who threaten our nation's security, the government is definitely concerned with the welfare of those detained and their families.

"The detainees can apply for financial aid through the detention centre warden. Their family will be awarded RM200 after the welfare department approves the application."

In a separate reply, Abdullah said 549 police officers have been investigated for corruption from 2005 to September 2007, while 269 cases are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

However, no ACA officers had been investigated for corruption in the same period, he said.

Abdullah was responding to Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) who asked for the number of police and ACA officers being investigated for corruption.

Earlier this month, Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusoff was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with two counts of allegedly failing to disclose his assets and another charge of alleged involvement in business when he is a civil servant.

Ramli, the country's third highest ranking police officer, has claimed trial to all three charges.