Azura Nasron of the Suaram human rights group told FMT the hunger strike by the detainees would continue. “They are demanding to meet representatives from the home ministry,” said Azura, who has stationed herself with the families outside the Sungai Buloh prison.

She said family members were worried about the condition of the 32 detainees, after the prisons department said the detainees did not want to meet the family members. No reason was provided, she said.

“Right now, there is no communication between the families and the detainees. They are only relying on what the prisons department is telling them,” she said.

About 50 people, including family members and supporters, have camped outside the prison since Saturday. Family members decided to go on hunger strike in solidarity with the detainees, soon after the human rights commission Suhakam said it would investigate claims of inadequate medical care and delayed trials faced by several detainees.

It was not known how many families took part in the hunger strike.

Azura said the families plan to meet with home ministry officials tomorrow in Putrajaya to demand answers over why their applications to visit the detainees were refused. “They will be going there together with prison officials,” she said.

It was reported yesterday that the applications were not granted on Friday after prison officials told them that the prison office will be closed for five days due to the Thaipusam holidays. Thaipusam falls on Tuesday, Feb 11.

The detainees are held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act which allows for detention for up to 28 days of anyone suspected of security offences.