Participants of a of a band performance last Saturday in a shoplot near Old Klang Road in Kuala Lumpur claimed that the police had unnecessarily discharged their firearms during the event.

Several eye-witnesses claimed at least five warning shots were fired at intervals, sending a group of about 50 youths loitering at a carpark outside the venue scurrying for cover.

A video of the incident was screened for members of the press earlier today, taken by one of the participants who was fleeing the scene.

The shaky black-and-white video depicts a man in a dark shirt running and pointing what appears to be a pistol towards a car in the process of reversing out of a parking slot.

It has been established that the gunman was indeed a plainclothes police personnel, who arrived at the scene with two others.

Police want to see video

Brickfields district police chief Mohd Dzuraidi Ibrahim (left) said he has been briefed that only two shots were fired towards the air in self-defence as the group had become aggressive towards his men.

Told by reporters about the contents of the video, Dzuraidi said action would be taken against his men if their actions were found to be against police procedures.

"Should anyone lodge a report against the conduct of the police that evening, we will investigate thoroughly through our disciplinary board," said Dzuraidi when met today, adding that the onus is on the affected parties to lodge a report and submit the video for his review.

He said his men had been observing the venue since 4pm and decided to disperse the two groups who were allegedly scuffling over the rights to perform that night.

The crowd, allegedly armed with sticks and knives, decided to turn on the plainclothes policeman, forcing him to fire two warning shots in the air.

Subsequently, 24 youths were arrested under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting. They tested negative for drugs and were released yesterday on police bail, according to Dzuraidi.

Don't be trigger happy

The police version of the incident, as reported by Harian Metro and Malay Mail on Tuesday, has been disputed by both the event participants and venue management.

One of the performers, identified only as Ayed, said one individual at the performance fell to the floor and sustained a laceration on the head, and was brought out to the carpark.

He believed that the police, coupled with prejudice against those dressed like 'skinheads' might have misconstrued the incident as a fight and decided to take action.

He claimed that he saw the three individuals pointing their weapon against many of the youths and threatened to shoot them if they tried to flee the scene.

Venue owner Paul Millot warned that the police must consider "harm caused by panic" when firing repeated warning shots, citing the example of his caf on a separate floor, where panic stricken workers smashed a large glass door while trying to flee.

Representing the National Human Rights Society (Hakam), Elizabeth Wong was that the incident was an example of 'trigger happy' police out to intimidate the youths.

"Discharging of firearms is a serious matter," warned Wong, adding that the matter would be brought up to the inspector general of police's attention.

This is the second time in eight months the Brickfields police have taken action against participants at Millot's venue, a private studio rented out to musicians.