Police confirm 13 nabbed under the ISA

Inspector general of police Ismail Omar today confirmed news reports that fresh arrests were made under the Internal Security Act 1960, which the government had said will be repealed soon.

However, in the statement he said that a total of 13 were taken and not 11 or 10 as reported in today's mainstream newspapers.

"Our intelligence reports and investigation detected efforts to revive a militant movement in Sabah," he said.

Ismail added that the thirteen, consisting of seven Malaysians and six foreigners were nabbed in an operation on Nov 14 to 16.

"The (individuals) were arrested under Section 73 (1) of the Internal Security Act 1960.

"If not curbed, their actions can threaten and undermine national security," he said in the brief statement.

Militant school teachers?

Gerakan Anti-ISA, in a statement earlier today, however, said that its sources claim that up to 14 could have been detained.

It, however, listed out the names of only 11, including two who appear to be brothers—Muhd Adnan Umar (a tuition teacher at MJU Centre) and Muhd Abduh Umar (a lorry driver).

The others were SMK Kinabutan Islamic studies teacher Mohd Nazri Dollah, SMK Umar-umas teacher Bakar Baba, MJU Tuition Centre teacher Darto Bandu and poultry trader Yusof Saripuddin.

Also on GMI's list were newspaper distributors Faizal Hamma and Joni @ Muadz.

The NGO claimed that next of kin were informed a day after the arrests was made.