breaking news The High Court today rejected the 'habeas corpus' application of five Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees this afternoon after three days of hearing the defence and respondent.

However, justice Augustine Paul did not immediately provide any grounds for his dismissal of the writ after senior deputy public prosecutor Abdul Gani Patail wrapped up his submission on behalf of the government.

"The application cannot be entertained," the judge told the court. He said that he would deliver a written judgment with grounds of his decision on Monday.

Earlier today, Abdul Gani argued that the habeas corpus application was frivolous and should be dismissed. He added that the detention of the five was done as a preventive measure and the police were still investigating their activities.

Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or a judge to ascertain whether their detention is lawful.

Five of the seven ISA detainees filed a habeas corpus application last Thursday following their arrest under the ISA, which allows for detention without trial for a minimum of two years following an initial 60-day investigative period.

Similar applications on behalf of two others, who were nabbed outside Kuala Lumpur, were made in the Shah Alam High Court yesterday.

The seven reformasi activists detained are Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, party Youth leaders Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, N Gobalakrishnan, Abdul Ghani Haroon and Saari Sungib, Free Anwar Campaign (Freeanwar.com) webmaster Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin and social activist-cum-malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais.

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