The MP for Bukit Gelugor, Ramkarpal Singh, said “there is no need for them to be further detained” although they had been remanded for 28 days under Sosma, the popular name of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act.

He urged the Attorney-General to charge them and offer them bail. “Refusing them bail serves no useful purpose as they are only suspected of committing an offence at this stage,” he said.

Ramkarpal’s comments come in the wake of a statement by federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman that investigation papers had been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. He said it was confirmation that the investigation process had been completed, and there was no need to keep them detained under Sosma.

Of the 12 detainees, three are members of the DAP: Negeri Sembilan assemblyman P. Gunasekaren (Seremban Jaya); Melaka assemblyman G. Saminathan (Gadek); and Melaka local councillor V. Suresh Kumar.

They are suspected of having links to raising funds and trying to revive the defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is regarded by police as being a terrorist group.

Saminathan and Gunasekaran were arrested on Oct 10 together with five other suspects following raids in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor. Two days later, police arrested five more suspects in Melaka, Penang and Selangor.