An NGO coalition wants Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to account for the recent spate of arrests under the Internal Security Act and either immediately free or charge those detained in court.

Women's Agenda for Change, a grouping of 90 non-governmental organisations, also slammed the controversial law as 'archaic'.

According to WAC, the law - which allows detention without trial - has been systematically used by the government to silence criticism and political dissent.

"We believe that they (the detainees) should be tried in an open court in accordance with the rule of law," said Maria Chin Abdullah, spokesperson for the group, today.

"Under the Constitution everyone has the basic right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial court," she said in her press statement to malaysiakini.

Maria was responding to the recent arrests and detention of several individuals under the ISA considered by the government to be a 'threat to national security'.

In April, 10 reformasi activists were arrested under the controversial law with six of them subsequently sent to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak for two years.

They are Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, the party's youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam, Badrul Amin Bahron and malaysiakini columnist cum film maker Hishamuddin Rais.

A second round of arrests was carried out against two student leaders, who were later released. The latest ISA arrests involved 16 alleged members of an Islamic militant group called the Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia.

Three have been sent to Kamunting detention centre for two years, while one is currently placed under restricted residence.

According to the government, all the ISA detainees were involved in underground activities seeking the violent overthrow of the government.

Arbitrary use

Maria, who is WAC's executive director, said the government had arbitrarily used the controversial law.

"The ISA, a draconian act that severely intimidates the fundamental liberties of a citizen in a democratic country, has become more cruel nowadays," said Maria.

"As women and as members of the civil society, we have to stand up and deplore the use of fear tactics and oppressive forces that divides the citizens."

WAC's organising committee comprises the Women's Development for Change, Sisters In Islam, All Women's Action Society, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (Women's Section), Wanita Jemaah Islaah Malaysia, Women's Aid Organisation and the Malaysian Metal Industries Employees' Union.