Amnesty International - a staunch critic of the Internal Security Act - today lauded the release of four reformasi activists who had been detained under the law for the past two years.

The international human rights organisation also reiterated that the controversial security law - which allows for detention without trial - be abolished or amended.

"Although we welcome these releases, it must be emphasised that any detention under the current ISA is illegitimate," said AI in a statement.

"The law must be repealed or amended so as to respect fundamental rights and freedoms. The ISA is an unfortunate example of what can happen when states promote security at the expense of human rights," it added.

The organisation also called for the release of two more Keadilan leaders Badrulamin Bahron and Lokman Adam whose detention orders will expire on June 12.

Militancy charge

In 2001, Badrulamin and Lokman were detained together with Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, supreme council member Saari Sungib and malaysiakini columnist-cum filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais.

The six - whom Amnesty international dubbed as 'prisoners of conscience' - were said to have procured rocket launchers and grenades with the aim of toppling the government, a charge which they have denied.

On Sunday, Tian, Mohd Ezam, Saari and Hishamuddin were released after their two-year detention order expired.

Tian and Hishamuddin are currently being held in Kajang Prison pending their bail application for other cases tomorrow while Mohd Ezam is serving a separate two-year sentence at the prison for violating the Official Secrets Act.

The Keadilan Youth chief, who was found guilty of leaking classified documents to the media pertaining a graft probe on two ruling politicians, will finish serving his jail term in December.

Logical step

In a related development, the Anti-ISA Movement (AIM) also welcomed the unconditional release of the four.

"AIM hopes their release was not solely due to domestic and international pressure but because of the merits of the case and justice.

"If this is true, then we urge government to take the logical step in freeing Badrulamin and Lokman without waiting for their detention orders to lapse," it said in a statement.

The movement also called on the government to accept the proposal by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to abolish the security law.

"The cruelty under the ISA must stop immediately," said its working committee chairperson Zaid Kamaruddin (photo)

Be grateful

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the four were released unconditionally.

"We are not placing restrictions. We will see what they want to do," added the deputy premier who inked the six's two-year detention orders in 2001.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said Sunday's release was not a result of pressure from any quarters, including the United States.

He said the home minister could decide to free any ISA detainee based on reports on their character while in detention.

The deputy minister added that those released should be grateful to the government for acting according to the law.