breaking news Six other alleged members of the Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM) were arrested this morning under the Internal Security Act in Kedah, Perak and Kelantan.

According to a statement released by Bukit Aman at 4.30pm today they were arrested under Section 73 (1) of the ISA for alleged involvement in activities which may threaten national security.

Earlier last month, nine other members of the group had been sent to serve a two-year detention under the Act at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak while another one has been banished to Johor under the Restricted Residence Act.

In today's swoop, Khairuddin Saad, 30, a religious teacher from Merbok, Kedah, was arrested in his house at 7.15am while Zulkifli @ Zul Memali Ahmad, 39, another religious teacher from Kedah, was arrested in Baling at 8am.

Mohamad Zulkifli @ Paksu Md Isa, 35, also a religious teacher in Baling, was arrested at the district police headquarters at 8.28am. Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Zakaria, 32, a religious teacher from Manjung, Perak, was arrested at 12.15am.

Mohd Salleh Said, 30, from Jalan Gopeng, Perak, was arrested at 10.45am and the last Hazami Ishak, 33, a businessman from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, was arrested at 2.10am in his father-in-law's house in Pasir Mas.

Thorough investigation

The statement issued by Federal Police headquarters spokesperson Supt Benjamin Hasbie said those arrested were KMM members which were believed to be involved in militant activities including carrying out militant training in Mujahidin camps in Afghanistan

"The arrests were needed to enable a thorough investigation into their involvement," Benjamin said in the statement.

Last August, the son of Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Nik Adli was one of the 10 arrested under the ISA also for alleged involvement with KMM which authorities claim was responsible for a spate of bank robberies, the bombing of a church and a temple, the murder of a Barisan Nasional state assembly representative.

Earlier in April, the police also arrested 10 Keadilan leaders and reformasi activists for alleged involvement in a "militant attempt to overthrow the government".

Four had been released unconditionally while six have been detained in Kamunting for two years.

Last March, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced in Parliament that he would be breaking 'international norms' in order to maintain the peace and security of the country.