(AFP) The wives of 10 detainees held under a draconian security law today issued emotional demands for their immediate release, insisting their husbands are not involved in militant activities.

The wives, accompanied by their children and about 100 supporters of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and the National Justice Party, lodged a complaint with the official Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

They were detained last week under the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows indefinite detention without trial. At least five are PAS members.

Sles Monira, wife of detainee Nik Adli, who is the son of PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat told two commissioners of Suhakam that she was shocked that her husband has been arrested under the ISA.

"My husband was summoned to the police station. He never came back. I do not know where he is. I am concerned about his well being," she said.

Sles denied her husband engaged in militant activities such as handling weapons, but said he was invloved in religious and farming activities.

"We cannot accuse people with false allegations," she said.

Military training

They were detained on suspicion of being members of a "Mujahideen Group" who received military training in Afghanistan and were waging a "holy war" in Malaysia.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday defended the use of the ISA and denied it was a crackdown against the opposition.

The arrests came as PAS defied a two-week-old police ban on open-air public rallies and pledged to continue with its political gatherings.

Opposition leaders have voiced concern that the arrests were part of a massive crackdown against dissent.

Mahathir said police had evidence that the detainees received military training abroad and had returned to Malaysia to topple the government.

He claimed one of the detainees, who is a cake seller, had learnt to make and detonate bombs.

Sukka Jusoh, wife of detainee Solehan Abdul Ghaffar said police came in five cars to detain her husband in their house on August 2.

"They searched the whole house and took away the computer and some books about 'Jihad'.

"Up to now I do not know where he is. The allegations are not true. My husband is self-employed. He does not know how to make bombs and weapons," she said as she wiped her tears.

Midnight arrest

Siti Rahamah Abdullah, wife of detainee Ahmad Tajuddin Abu Bakar said police detained her husband on Aug 2.

"They came to our house past midnight and informed me that my husband is being held under the ISA. I do not know where he is," she said.

Siti Rahamah said police claimed her husband was involved in militant activities.

"I am married for seven years and we have five children. I do not think my husband is involved in such activities," she said.

She added that her husband had spent a year in Pakistan a decade ago to study but "I do not think he had time to be involved in militant activities there."

Commissioner Hamdan Adnan later said said Suhakam would study the complaints and vowed to uphold democracy and human rights in Malaysia.

"Allegations have been made against them. So they should be charged in court as soon as possible," he said.

Hamdan said police should allow families access to the detainees.

Radzi Abdullah, a lawyer said the 10 families were expected to file "habeas corpus" applications next week to win their freedom.