Illegal detention upheld in KL

Illegal detention upheld in KL

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Delivering a blow to two opposition leaders who have been jailed without trial for five weeks, Malaysia's Federal Court on Wednesday ruled that they should not appear in court during a case challenging their detention.

N. Gobala Krishnan and Ghani Harun are among 10 opposition supporters and leaders of the National Justice Party who were arrested in April for allegedly planning to stage massive street demonstrations.

All of the 10 are being held under the Internal Security Act, a British colonial era law that allows for indefinite detention without trial.

Lawyers for Gobala and Ghani say their detentions are illegal, and the High Court judge hearing the case ruled that the two men should be present during the proceedings. But government lawyers appealed the High Court ruling to the Federal Court. On Wednesday, three judges upheld the appeal and ruled that the detainees have no constitutional right to appear in court.