In a statement released today, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said this doesn’t mean that MIC is supporting the defunct militant group.

“For PAS, providing legal assistance means ensuring that a detainee gets his rights as guaranteed by the law, in line with the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

“Should they be proven guilty in court, then everyone needs to abide by the court ruling and allow the law’s due process to be carried out,” he said.

It was reported that MIC will provide free legal aid to five of the 12 suspects arrested recently for alleged links to LTTE.

MIC legal aid chief T Rajasekaran said the party is providing the assistance because the suspects could not afford their own legal representation.

Takiyuddin also urged the government to table a White Paper in Parliament on those who support the use of violence in the country.

He said this will enable appropriate action to be taken against anyone, including politicians, who influence people’s minds in this matter.