Cop: Mechanic knocked me over

In the cop's version of things - mechanic Chang Jiun Haur started the whole thing.

Apparently the 23-year-old hit a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel, causing his momentary lose of consciousness during Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) fracas last May.

According to constable Mohd Azniey Ahmad Suppian's testimony at the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) public inquiry on police brutality today, the vehicle was accelerating when it hit his hand and drove on.

"I saw a car speeding towards us and the next thing I knew, I was knocked over and floored. After a short moment, I got back on my feet and I examined my injuries," said the 26-year-old.

When asked where he was hurt, he replied, "My right hand, it felt sore."

In his two-hour testimony, he informed that he was disoriented after impact.

"While I was in that state, about 10 to 15 FRU personnel and plainclothes officers started surrounding the car.

"But I could not recognise them (FRU personnel and plainclothes officers) as it was dark and I did not know what they were doing. All I could hear was noise and the sound of the running engine," he added.

'My hand was not bruised nor bleeding'

When the panel enquired if he was sure it was Chang's Proton Wira that knocked him, Mohd Azniey responded that the baton he was holding broke into two from the contact.

"I let the baton hang on my right hand. After the car hit me, I could see the other half of the baton was under one of the tires."

He was subsequently sent to Kajang Hospital for treatment by a colleague.

"The attending doctor only gave some medicine for me to take but I did not take it as I did not feel the need to. I also did not take any MC (medical certificate)," said Mohd Azniey.

The panel appeared unsatisfied with his answer of being hurt but Mohd Azniey persisted with his account.

"(Even though) my hand was not bruised or bleeding, my hand felt hurt," he said.

Cop not wearing glasses

Another testifying witness, also a FRU personnel, admitted he did not see the actions that uniformed and plainclothes officers were doing as he was not wearing glasses.

Lance Corporal Gilbert Chua Chan Siong (right) said he was initially in the front row of the group manning traffic.

"I saw that there were four passengers in the car but when the police started surrounding it, I moved to the back row."

Asked if he saw anything when he was at the back, he said, "No, I was unable to see anything because I did not wear my glasses," said Gilbert, drawing laughter from those present.

He said that as the officers "had their helmets on" it made it more difficult to make identifications.

"All I could hear was somebody scream, 'keluar, keluar!' (Get out, get out!)," narrated Gilbert.

Investigation complete

Meanwhile chief inspector Maizatul Azman, who was asked to take the stand, stated that he received reports from Chang and two of his friends on May 29 at around 6pm.

Maizatul, who is stationed at the Crime Investigation Department in IPD Kajang, said Chang and his two friends' report stated that Chang was beaten by FRU personnel.

"I also received a report from an FRU commander citing that two of his personnel were injured after being knocked over by Chang's car," he added.

He also told the the inquiry that his investigation papers have been completed and ready for submission to the deputy persecutor for further action.

Last month, Chang testified that he was allegedly pulled out of his car and assaulted for no apparent reason.

The mechanic also claimed that he was trying to make a U-turn when he spotted the police blockade on the road while he was driving about 20-30 km per hour as there were other cars in front of his Proton Wira.

This was when the police personnel had allegedly mobbed his car and started kicking and hitting Chang (below) with their batons.

Terms of reference

The Suhakam inquiry, held in Menara Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, resumed yesterday after a five-week break and is due to end tomorrow with three more witnesses from the police force.

The inquiry panel is headed by commissioner Zaitoon Othman, and includes commissioners Dr Chiam Heng Keng and Khalid Ibrahim.

Among those who were asked to testify were Malaysiakini journalists Syed Jaymal Zahiid and Lee Weng Keat, and videographer Ng Kok Foong. All three testified last month.

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.


Watch 5-min video of the alleged police beating

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