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KUALA LUMPUR : Supporters of Malaysia's Hindu Rights Action Force have vowed to return to the streets, if their efforts to secure their leaders' release at the country's highest court fail.
The five men have been held under the country's Internal Security Act (ISA) since December.
They are accused of stirring racial hatred and suspected links with the Tamil Tigers rebel group in Sri Lanka.
Malaysia's government is facing mounting pressures to free the Hindraf 5.
The five men are allegedly behind a string of anti-discrimination rallies that rocked the capital last November.
Their lawyer Karpal Singh says the detentions are unlawful.
He argued that the Internal Security Minister has abused his powers by ordering their detentions without proper police investigation.
Mr Karpal Singh said: "There's no such thing as an unfettered discretion, any discretion has its limit, it must be exercised judicially and fairly."
But the attorney-general says the minister has the power to issue the order if he has reasonable ground to believe that there is a threat to national security.
Mr Gani Pattail, Attorney-General of Malaysia, said: "I am purely a professional, I go by the law. When the law is there, it's my duty to observe it. As to what feelings and so on, that's another thing."
Meanwhile the case has taken a heavy toll on the wives of detainees who just want their husbands back.
Mdm M. Kalewani, Detainee's Wife, said: "When I sit down for my meal, I only think of him whether he's eaten, all these are making us very sad."
Mdm Vickneshwari, Detainee's Wife, said: "How are we going to survive, we have children, I am telling my two girls their father is in hospital, how long can they take that?"
With the hearing on their release adjourned till later this month and a final decision not expected anytime soon, Hindraf supporters have warned of massive street rallies despite risking arrest.
One supporter said: "Everything not workable, then we have no choice. The whole community will go back to the streets again to release them."
Another supporter said: "How many they want to arrest? How many they want to put under ISA? If we fear, we won't be here."
Some see the Hindraf 5 as the people's heroes for championing the rights of the minorities.
Mr Karpal Singh added: "What was done by the five have affected the election especially the 'makkal sakti' (people's power in Tamil). It went across the board not just among the Indians but also among Malaysian Chinese concerned."
While Hindraf supporters vow to continue with their protests, they hope that people's power will once again work its wonder and secure the release of all five Hindraf detainees who have been held without trial for more than 120 days now. - CNA/de
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