Penang-based social reform movement Aliran has called for the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) Advisory Board, voicing concern that it has become nothing more than a "farcical facade of democracy which makes a mockery of justice".

In a statement yesterday, Aliran expressed shock that the government has not responded to the board's recommendation that the five reformasi activists detained under the security law be released immediately.

Aliran president P Ramakrishnan said failure to order their immediate release constitutes a "flagrant disregard and disrespect for the rule of law".

"If the government cannot honour the decision of the advisory board, if it continues to show scant respect to the rule of law, then what is the point of the board?" he asked.

"What purpose is served in going through this charade? Let's scrap this meaningless and perverse provision," he said.

Last month, malaysiakini reported that the board, having considered the representations made under Section 11(1) of the ISA, had recommended that the five be released without any further delay.

The detainees have about five months left before their two-year detention period expires, but the order is subject to renewal by the home minister.

The five are Keadilan leaders Tian Chua, Saari Sungib, Lokman Noor Adam, Dr Badrulamin Bahron and filmmaker-cum-malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais.

The board's decision was based on the Federal Court ruling last Sept 6 that the initial 60-day ISA detention of Chua, Hishamuddin, Saari, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin (who was released before the initial detention expired) and Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor (who is now serving a two-year jail sentence for breaching the Official Secrets Act) was done in bad faith.

Gov't without conscience

It has been more than a month since the recommendations were made. Chua, Saari and Badrulamin were told of the board's decision on Dec 3, while Lokman was informed a week before in November and Hishamuddin on Dec 19.

Meanwhile Ramakrishnan asked why should the detainees suffer the "pain of this unjust system", adding that "caring and thinking people cannot remain aloof in the face of this grave injustice".

"Each day's delay means the perpetuation of this gross violation of God-given freedom. Each day's delay is a wanton denial of justice," he said.

"Only a government that has no conscience would behave in such a callous manner. Any further prolonged detention is an unmitigated injustice not only to the detainees but to their families as well."

Aliran reiterated its call for the immediate release of the detainees, saying that any delay is an "intolerable insult to our notion of justice".