A college student was injured last night, after allegedly being assaulted by a police officer during a botched raid on a state youth outreach programme in Dataran Shah Alam.

NONE Reacting to this, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad ( left ) in a press conference at his office in Shah Alam called the police action a “disproportionate” and “irresponsible” response to a peaceful gathering.

“They came like they were going to war, suddenly raiding the venue without warning,” he said.

Twenty-year old Mohd Nazrul Anwar Mohamad Adli, who is pursuing a diploma in electrical and electronics engineering at the nearby PTPL College, was one of the many youths who participated in the Selangor-government organised event.

Shah Alam City Hall (MBSA) councillor Azli Yusof who is on the organising committee for the event said he was shocked by what he saw last night.

“The event, which was well received by the youths, ended at around midnight. Police suddenly swooped in two squad cars and a Nissan X-Trail. Disembarking, they rushed the youths, kicking their motorcycles which were properly parked.

“The youths reacted on instinct and fled the scene,” said Azli.

It was then that he said he saw Mohd Nazrul, fleeing by a side road near Quality Inn, hit an oncoming car and fell.

“Mohd Nazrul got up and tried to again ride away on his bike, but his bike was kicked by a police officer and smashed into a parked van,” said Azli, who said he took down the name of the police officer - a constable - and his service number.

            

Traumatic episode

Mohd Hilmi Radhuan, the master of ceremonies for the night’s event, alleged he also witnessed the assault.

“Not only did he kicked Mohd Nazrul’s bike, I also saw him raise his leg as if to step on Mohd Nazrul when he was on the ground.

“A car obstructed my view, but from how it looked to me, the way his leg came down, I am almost sure that the constable kicked the youth,” he said.

Mohd Nazrul’s father Mohamad Adli Baharum, also present at the press conference said his son’s reaction was understandable, given the sudden nature of the raid.

“Even if it were us, sitting down having drinks, suddenly the police come and raided, we would have acted on impulse and ran,” said the victim’s father.

The 46-year old senior forwarding executive from Port Klang appealed to the police to consider their approach to policing.

“The police is supposed to be people-friendly, they are supposed to keep the public safe, but in this case, they are doing just the opposite,” Mohamad Adli added.

He said that his son suffered injuries to his right cheek, lips and right knee because of what happened, while doctors at the hospital warned of possible internal injury and concussion.

“His mental state may have been affected, his self-esteem has suffered for sure. He is due to take his semester finals at the end of this month. This may effect his ability to study,” he said

        

Father ponders legal action

He added that he is considering legal action against the police for what happened to his son.

Four separate police reports have been lodged at the Shah Alam district police headquarters over the incident, with Mohamad Adli making another report today.

Designed to reach out and give advise to youths who frequent the Dataran Shah Alam at night, the programme featured musical performances by several rock groups as well as a some words of advise delivered by two religious teachers.

Last night’s event was the third such programme, the second time it was held at the venue.

According to a text message from Shah Alam OCPD read out by Khalid, the operation was supposed to be a joint effort between the police, MBSA and the Jabatan Alam Sekitar based on complaints from residents.

However, MBSA councillor Azli refuted the matter, saying that there were no such operations involving MBSA.

He also said that there are no residential near Dataran Shah Alam for there to be residents complaining about the programme.

While the police grouped some of the youth together for about twenty minutes at the scene, there were no arrests.

Mohd Nazrul was rushed to the hospital for treatment via ambulance shortly after the incident.