The Bush Administration has expressed hope that the ethnic Indians detained in Malaysia will be provided full protection under the Malaysian law and would be given due process.

In reply to a question, State department spokesman Sean McCormack said that the US expects that they would be accorded all the rights accorded to any other citizen and that this be done in a speedy and transparent manner.

"I will also reiterate that it is our firm position that those individuals who want to peacefully express themselves in a political forum or any other forum should be allowed to do so," McCormack added.

According to reports from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia detained indefinitely a group of five ethnic Indian activists under its internal security law.

The arrests were made in connection with last month's anti-government demonstration staged by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) to protest against what they called 'racial discrimination'.

Indians constitute at least 7 per cent of Malaysia population.