DAP will be boycotting the six-member independent panel led by former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar to probe the violence in Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.

NONE "DAP declares a full boycott of the independent panel ... so long as Hanif Omar is a chairman and member, as he has compromised his impartiality by publicly condemning Bersih 3.0 as communist-linked and an attempt to overthrow the government," said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

The boycott comes hot in the heels of Bar Council's announcement yesterday that it would snub the panel, following a similar move by Bersih leaders.

"Hanif is first and foremost disqualified from serving on the investigation panel due to a conflict of interest as not only is the police force being accused (of violence), he has publicly condemned Bersih thereby revealing his prejudice and bias against the rally.

"By linking Bersih to communism, Hanif is still fighting yesterday's long-concluded wars, making the outcome of these investigations a foregone conclusion," said Lim.

Hanif should appear as witness instead

The Penang CM stressed that the issue was not whether Hanif had been impartial in his past investigations, but rather that he has taken a partisan stance, and he should instead appear as a witness.

frank la rue 060412 Lim also backed Bersih's call for the panel to be led by United Nation special rapporteurs Frank William La Rue ( right ) and Maina Kiai, as well as the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

"DAP agrees with the Bar Council that the independent panel lacks any legal framework and features as legal immunity for those involved in the proceeding as well as lacking legal power to subpoena witnesses or call for the production of documents."

Lim said that with the present set-up of the panel, it appeared to be an attempt to whitewash police brutality and the suffering of the victims on that day or to justify the ruling coalition claims that the rally was aimed at toppling the government.

Meanwhile DAP Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang blasted PM Najib Razak and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein for ignoring the fundamental principle behind the objections against Hanif based on his “prejudicial” statements on Bersih 3.0.

“Malaysians and the world must wonder why important personages like the prime minister and the home minister could not understand the very clear, simple and irrefutable reason...” said Lim in a statement today.

“The objection to Hanif’s appointment lies solely and squarely in the incontrovertible fact that the former IGP had stained and disqualified himself as a member of any inquiry.”

Lim noted that apart from the Malaysian Bar and Bersih, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Suaram, “and even Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah” have declared their objection to Hanif’s appointment.

'Stop the lies, Hisham'

In a separate statement, Lim called on the home minister to “stop spreading lies and falsehoods about Bersih 3.0  as his allegation that ‘some parties wanted serious injuries and deaths’ is most wild, irresponsible and deplorable”.

bersih 3 rally 050512 cmh 01 “There is no iota of evidence whatsoever to back this latest but  totally wild and contemptible allegation emanating from government quarters,” said Lim.

He said if Hishammuddin had “intelligence” related to the matter or similarly, to the alleged “coup” planned by Bersih, he would be “negligent” not to have acted before the rally and to have earlier declared Bersih “not a security threat”.

“Hishammuddin as home minister should not pile lies and falsehoods about the Bersih 3.0 rally.

“He is in fact reinforcing the conviction of sceptical Malaysians who do not believe that the  government is prepared for a truly independent, impartial, comprehensive and authoritative inquiry into the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 and the deplorable  violence and brutality that ensued,” said Lim.