Signature campaign in KL

Signature campaign in KL

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Supporters of jailed ex-Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim will launch a signature campaign to demand the release of eight people held under a draconian security law, an opposition party official said Saturday.

Hamdan Taha, vice-youth chief of the National Justice Party (Keadilan) said the signatures would be handed to the government to protest the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"It will show that the people do not endorse the use of ISA on political activists and civilians," he said in a statement.

Police arrested another leading Keadilan activist on Friday, the eighth to be held under the ISA in 10 days, and said more arrests were planned. Keadilan is led by Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Badrul Amin Bahron was held at his home early Friday under the ISA, which allows indefinite detention without trial. Badrul, 39, is a member of Keadilan's Supreme Council and a former law lecturer at the International Islamic University in Malaysia.