KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (AFP) - 16:40 - Thousands of supporters of Malaysia's Islamic opposition party will defy police warnings and gather outside a prison to mark the freeing of three of its members Friday, a party official said.

"We are going ahead with the reception to commemorate their release," said Mohamad Hatta Mohamad Ramli, a central committee member of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS).

"The right to gather peacefully is our basic right," he said Tuesday when asked if PAS would apply for a police permit for the gathering outside Kajang prison just south of here.

PAS youth chief Mahfuz Omar and two other officials were jailed on November 9 for a month after refusing to pay a 1,500 ringgit (395 dollar) fine for taking part in an illegal assembly in 1997.

The April 1997 protest was against the visit of an Israeli cricket team during an International Cricket Council Trophy tournament.

"I refuse to make any payment to the oppressive regime of Dr Mahathir," Mahfuz Omar was quoted by his lawyer as saying at the time in reference to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

In a notice on its website PAS called on Malaysians to gather outside the prison to welcome their release and demonstrate their opposition to "Jewish cruelty and those who collaborate with Israel."

Local police chief Assistant Commissioner Zakaria Abdul Hamid said police would not hesitate to take action against demonstrators.

He said police have no objection if if two or three people turn up.

"But when hundreds turn up, it is no longer a reception but an illegal gathering," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times newspaper.

Mohamad Hatta urged police to show restraint.

"Our message to those who attend -- be early and obey instructions and do not provoke anyone. We expect the police to work with us," he said.

He said members of other opposition parties would also take part.

On November 25 thousands of PAS members and other opposition supporters protested outside the finance ministry against the government's takeover of oil revenues which previously went directly to a PAS-ruled state.

Riot police were deployed but did not try to break up the protest and no incidents were reported.