To be accepted back by his girlfriend he left two years ago and to resume his work as a contractor.

That is what ex-Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee, Mohd Nasir Ismail @ Hassan, 35, wants after being released two days ago.

Mohd Nasir said he had met the parents of his girlfriend, known as 'Ros'.

"I desire to end by bachelorhood and my love for Ros is still strong. I hope to meet her this Hari Raya.

"She's from Kelantan and works as a government staff outside the state. I pray that Ros takes me back as I am," he said.

Mohd Nasir also said the first thing he did when he returned to Kelantan was to hug his parents as priceless blessings as Muslims celebrate Hari Raya this Sunday.

"Thank God at last I am free and I hugged all my family members who prayed for my well being all this while.

"After this I want to resume my work as a Class F contractor," he told reporters in Kota Baru today.

Mohd Nasir, from Kampung Tunjung here, was detained under the ISA on April 15, 2007 in Kajang, Selangor and was freed along with four others after being deemed as no longer being a threat to the country's security.

The other four were Abdullah Daud, Mat Sah Mohd Satray, Ahmad Kamil Md Hanapiah and Muhammad Amir Md Hanapiah. All five were members of Jemaah Islamiah Malaysia.

A kenduri after Hari Raya

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein when making the announcement to free them said the release also gave them an opportunity to celebrate Hari Raya with their families.

Mohd Nasir said while in detention he spent the time praying and reading books.

He said Hari Raya in detention was far different then being with family.

"Freedom is very meaningful when you are with your family in your own village," he said.

He said he would hold a thanksgiving 'kenduri' after Hari Raya.

"After the blessings of Ramadan and Hari Raya, I hope to find a livelihood as a contractor and I have to start from the bottom to rebuild all that was destroyed while in detention," he said.

- Bernama