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Malaysian government under pressure to release six Opposition figures

The Malaysian government is under increased pressure to release six Opposition figures, jailed without trial under the Internal Security Act.

The six men, held without charge for 12 months under the ISA, were accused of planning to topple the government.

They've been on a hunger strike since last Wednesday in northern Perak state.

Malaysia's jailed former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim, has also embarked on a Muslim hunger strike, in solidarity with the detainees, and is taking only fluids.

One of the detainees' lawyers, Latifah Koya says her client, Badrulamin Bahron, is in dire need of medical attention, but requests for him to be admitted to hospital have been ignored:

"We've come out with statements, we've come out with memos to the Home Ministry. And the family support group has gone to make a police report specifically on this issue, because we believe that the authorities deliberately refused to follow the advice of the doctor. And if anything happens, then we'll hold the camp and the Home Ministry personally responsible."

16/04/2002 23:30:53 | ABC Radio Australia News

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