Three alleged Islamist militants held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for more than four years were released on Oct 28.

Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Zakaria was released unconditionally, while Alias Ngah and Solehan Abdul Ghafar are bound by a Restricted Residence Order.

Among other conditions of their release, Alias and Solehan are not allowed to leave their respective districts and must report to the nearest police station once a week.

They three were among the nine said to be involved with Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM).

Those still in detention are Ahmad Pozi Darman, Zainon Ismail, Mohamad Lothfi Arifin, Mohd Rafi Udin, Zid Sharani Mohd Isa and Nik Adli, the son of Kelantan chief minister Nik Abdul Aziz of the opposition Islamic party PAS.

Alias and Solehan were among the six who had their detention orders extended in September, along with Ahmad, Nik Adli, Zainon and Mohamad Lothfi.

Celebration with family

Contacted today, Zulkifli said he was elated that he was finally reunited with his family and able to spend Hari Raya with them.

The former Islamic Studies lecturer from Kuala Kangsar was arrested on Oct 10, 2001 under the ISA which allows for detention without trial.

Relating the days leading up to his release, he said that he, Alias and Solehan saw a glimmer of hope when they were taken to a Police Remand Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26.

"At the time, we thought that maybe the day that we had hoped for was about to arrive," he said.


At about 9.45am on Oct 28, he was officially released and was sent to his village in Kuala Kangsar by Special Branch officers.

"A Special Branch officer even allowed me to use his mobile phone to contact my family to inform them about my release," said Zulkifli.

Zulkifli said he was in good health despite the time in detention and would spend time with his family before resuming his teaching profession at the college where he worked.

Alias, when contacted in Kuala Terengganu, declined to elaborate on his release for fear that any comment might affect those who still being detained.

'Release the rest'

Abolish the ISA movement president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh welcomed the release, attributing this to public pressure.

However, he pointed out that six more held for a similar reason have yet to be released or charged in open court.

"We would continue to appeal to the internal security ministry and the prime minister for the release of those detainees," he said when contacted.

He expressed confidence that the authorities will release more of the detainees in stages in the near future.

Family members of the nine detainees have been vigorously fighting for their release through legal avenues and direct appeals to the authorities.

Several public demonstrations were also held to highlight their plight of those detained.