WASHINGTON, May 4 (IslamOnline) - In an unexpected move, a judge in the Malaysian High Court on Friday ordered police to produce to the court two reform activists detained under the infamous Internal Security Act (ISA).
Justice Mohamed Hishammuddin Mohamed Yunus made the order after having heard submissions from both the defense counsel and prosecution last week.
The two police are ordered to present are Abdul Ghani Haroon and N. Gobalakrishnan, whose families filed a habeas corpus application two weeks ago. Both were arrested alongside another eight leaders for allegedly planning to topple the government by "militant" means and mass street demonstrations.
Lawyers for the two, led by R. Sivarasa, submitted that their clients' presence was vital to ensure that they were in good health, as well as to enable lawyers to take legal instructions from them.
Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Wahab Abdul Rashid sought a stay of the order from the court pending their appeal to the Appellate Court, but Hishammuddin dismissed the stay.
Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or a judge to ascertain whether their detention is lawful.
Meanwhile, police allowed the families of at least four detained leaders to visit them in police custody. Police took the decision amidst intense criticism against the use of the ISA and the detention of opposition leaders without trial.
The Police have promised that the families of those detained would be able to see them one-by-one, adding that next week two more would be able receive visits from wives and children.
The first to be allowed visitors was Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, the webmaster of the Freeanwar campaign website. His wife and three children met him for almost two hours. They say he was treated well by the police.
The families met the detained leaders at the headhuarters of the Police Contingent (IPK) in Kuala Lumpur.
The detained are Dr. Badrul Amin, Saari Sungib, Lokman Noor Adam, Tian Chua, Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, N. Gobalakrishnan, Abdul Ghani Haroon, malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) activist Badaruddin Ismail.
