Malaysia frees 12 held under revoked security law

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia's government has freed another 12 people held without trial under a now revoked security law.

Activists welcomed the move but called for the freedom of another 30 people still held under the Internal Security Act.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says seven Malaysians, three Indonesians and two Pakistanis were released Friday, but gave no further details. They were detained under the decades-old law that was abolished recently as part of government reforms to win public support ahead of upcoming general elections.

Three other detainees were released earlier this month.

Under a new security bill tabled in Parliament, the repeal of the act doesn't affect those already arrested unless the home minister revokes the detention.