Human rights group [#1]Suaram[/#] today revealed details of six Shia sect followers who were arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in October last year.

Of those six arrested, two have since been released and of the remaining four, three have been sent to Kamunting detention centre on a two-year detention order, while one more is undergoing the initial 60-day detention under ISA, Suaram told .

The six were construction worker Norman Basha, 42, businessman Zainal Taib, fortysomething, self-employed Mahadi Asab, fortysomething, self-employed Syed Hassan Al-Attas, 36, businessman Mustafa Safar, 28, and businessman Syed Mokhtar Al-Hadad, 42.

The last two have been released, with Mustafa being imposed a one-year restriction order to remain in Gombak, Selangor.

"The actual reason for their detention is not known. It is believed that they have been arrested under the ISA because they are followers of the Shia teachings, a sect within the Muslim community.

"We are led to believe that these people were detained purely on the grounds of their faith," Suaram stated.

According to Suaram, the Shia followers only number 2,000-3,000 in Malaysia where the predominant sect is Sunni.

Suaram said those who were released early in 1997 were told to renounce their Shia faith and to revert to the Sunni sect as a pre-condition for their release.

Suaram also stated that last year the ISA had been used against members of the religious cult Al-Ma'unah.

Currently there are 76 individuals detained under the ISA, Suaram reported.