They came, they hit, they ran
"They came, they hit, they ran."
This was the description of police behaviour given by an eyewitness during the Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) public inquiry today into the 'Bloody Sunday' incident earlier this year.
"They came, they hit, they ran."
This was the description of police behaviour given by an eyewitness during the Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) public inquiry today into the 'Bloody Sunday' incident earlier this year.
Dr Hatta Ramli, organising chairperson of that day's fateful petrol price hike protest, said the police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) had "an agenda" when they gathered at the protest venue in front of the KLCC on May 28.
"We've had experiences in such gatherings if the police were around. They came, they hit (us) and they ran.
"After they left, we gathered again but there was no disturbance because there were no more police," Hatta told the Suhakam panel comprising commissioners KC Vohrah, Choo Siew Kioh, Dr Michael Yeoh and Zaitoon Othman.
He told the panel that the police practiced double standards citing previous demonstrations held against
the attack
of Lebanon by Israel and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's
visit
to Kuala Lumpur which faced no problems from the police.
"We've never asked for permits for our previous protests against the oil price hike but instead we were offered permits for other protests," he said.
Hatta pointed out that an oil price hike protest that took place in July faced no problems and stressed the police were exerting their powers unnecessarily.
Two melees
The video shot by FRU officer Lance Corporal Mohd Nasarudin Hashim was also scrutinised in detail at the inquiry's proceedings today as the panel and observers noted certain incidents during its 17-minute footage.
A notable scene was where OCPD Dang Wangi Kamal Pasha and a police officer identified only as Chief Inspector Pusparajan were seen signaling indicating that five more minutes would be given for the crowd to disperse though water cannons were fired about two minutes later.
Two melees involving the crowd were also noted as FRU personnel were seen surrounding individuals and using their shields and batons on civilians.
Mohd Nasarudin, 29, told the panel today that there were over 40 FRU personnel were present that day and armed with M16 rifles, .38 pistols and riot guns.
He reaffirmed that the crowd did not act unruly at any point in time during the video's footage.
Other witnesses today included student activist Lim Sook Swan and DAP's NGO Bureau Chief Ronnie Liu who were both speakers during the May 28 peaceful protest.
Fifth inquiry
Observers at the inquiry include the Bar Council and ASP Alaudeen Abdul Majid from the Inspector-General of Police's (IGP) secretariat.
The public inquiry will determine whether any human rights violations occurred and if so:
- which person or agency was responsible for the violations;
- how such violations came about;
- what administrative directives and procedures or arrangements contributed to them; and
- what measures should be recommended to be taken to ensure that such violence does not recur.
This is the fifth public inquiry held by the human rights watchdog since its formation in 1999.
Previous inquiries were on the Kesas Highway incident (2001); conditions faced by Internal Security Act detainees (2002); alleged mistreatment of native villagers in Sabah by the police (2004); and the death of S Hendry while in police custody (2006).
The public inquiry will resume next Wednesday.
