The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) public inquiry on the Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) fracas is set to recommence in August, though no actual dates have been set.

Its purpose is to look into alleged police brutality on May 27 whilst residents and Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd were in hot dispute over a barricade erected by the latter.

Six more witnesses from the police force will testify when hearing resumes. These are officers who were on duty during the incident.

cheras mahkota fru assault on car sequence 280508 A Suhakam officer told malaysiakini today that it is likely to be next month. He was unable to specify an exact date.

The inquiry started last Wednesday and proceeded until Friday. The panel is to questions 22 witnesses in all.

The remaining witnesses are ACP Shakaruddin Che Mood, constables Mohd Azniey Ahmad Supian and Muhammad Firdaus Rasid, and lance-corporals Aziri Mohamed, Gilbert Chua Chian Siong and Sharill Ismail.

The inquiry was only expected to last two days - July 23 and 24 - but went on for another day before Suhakam postponed it. All previous witnesses have been grilled and asked to narrate carefully everything they do know about the incident.

In the eventful weeks of May, temperatures rose with many altercations over and about the construction and destruction of a barricade to block direct vehicle access to the Grand Saga Highway from the housing estate.

The various fracases involved residents and unidentified persons seen to be representing the highway concessionaire. The police were present intermittently whenever there was an escalation.

Assaulted mechanic

The three-member panel is looking specifically into the case of mechanic Chang Jiun Haur who was allegedly assaulted and bloodied by riot squad officers when he and his friends were trying to leave the scene of a fracas on May 27.

The inquiry is being conducted at Suhakam's headquarters in Menara Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur and the panel is headed by commissioner Zaiton Othman, and includes commissioners Dr Chiam Heng Keng and Khalid Ibrahim.

Among those who have testified last week were malaysiakini journalists Syed Jamal Zahiid and Lee Weng Kiat and videographer Ng Kok Foong.

The panel's three-point terms of reference are:

a) To inquire whether or not any law enforcement personnel, in performance of their duty to maintain law and order, had used excessive force during the incident;

b) If there was excessive use of force, whether there was any violation of human rights of any person or persons and, who were responsible for such violations, and

c) To recommend what action to be taken against those responsible for the violation of human rights.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Grand Saga in Cheras