Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has released four alleged members of a Southeast Asian terror network who had been imprisoned without trial for more than five years, a human rights group said.

The men were arrested in late 2002 under the Internal Security Act - which allows indefinite detention without trial - during a crackdown on the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah network.

The Malaysian government jailed more than 200 militant suspects between 2001 and 2003,but many have been released in batches over the past few years.

Four more detainees - Bakkery Mahhamud, Mohd Zamri Sukirman, Sabri Jaafar and Zamzuri Sukirman - were freed from a prison centre on Dec 19 on the condition that they report regularly to police and remain within the district where they live, the Abolish ISA Movement said in a statement late yesterday.

It was believed to be the third release this year of militant suspects held under the ISA without trial. Activists estimate a total of eight others were freed in June and August, but authorities did not publicly announce their release. Internal Security Ministry officials could not immediately be contacted.

Authorities have said in some previous cases that suspects were freed after they repented following rehabilitation programs and counselling that ISA detainees typically undergo.

Malaysian opposition and human rights groups have repeatedly called for the ISA to be repealed, saying the law is abused to silence dissidents. The government has said it is necessary to protect national security and ensure stability.

Source : PTI