The woman ordered to do 'ear-squats' in the nude in the infamous video-clip has been identified as a Malay Malaysian, ending widespread speculation that she is a Chinese national.

She appeared this morning for an hour before the independent commission that is investigating the incident on the orders of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The commission has imposed a gag order on her identity, barring media organisations from publishing her name, photo and personal details.

The young woman, who wore a coat over her baju kurung (traditional Malay attire) and tudung (head scarf), took her seat in front of the panel before anyone else was allowed to enter the court room for the hearing which started at about 9.45am.

She burst into tears when told to view the 71-second video clip from a screen facing the commissioners, and was consoled by Wanita Umno Legal Aid Bureau chief Kamilia Ibrahim, who is on the panel of inquiry.

The woman found herself in the spotlight after the clip, taken using a mobile phone, showed her being forced to do 'ear squats' in the nude in front of a policewoman.

It was later revealed that the incident occurred at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters.

News reports had earlier speculated that the woman was a Chinese national. The incident had sparked public outrage in Malaysia and China.

Reason for arrest

The five-member commission, headed by former chief justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, began its public hearing yesterday.

The woman told the commission that she is married and is now three months pregnant.

She said she was arrested for alleged possession of syabu (methamphetamine), a drug sometimes referred to as 'speed'.

The arrest on June 29 involved five others, including her husband, and took place outside a primary school in Damansara Jaya. She was then charged in a magistrate's court and is on bail.

Responding to questions from commissioners, the woman said she became aware of the existence of the video recording only after the clip was aired during a television news report.

She said from the hair, body and face of the person in the clip, she immediately knew that the footage was of her.

Asked how she felt about being ordered to strip naked at the police lock-up, she replied: "I was embarrassed and angry."

Policewoman identified

Dzaiddin also asked her whether she habitually wears a tudung (head scarf).

"No, I only wear it when I go to kenduri (wedding receptions)."

Dzaiddin told her to remove her tudung so that she could be positively identified.

She then identified L/Cpl Wan Zawati Zalina Wan Ismail (right), the policewoman who was watching her doing the 'ear squats' in the clip.

She said Wan Zawati had told her to take off all her clothes and to do 'ear squats' but without crossing her arms. No drugs was found on her person during the search, she said.

Asked whether she had heard any voices in the vicinity, she said: "I heard people reciting (Quranic verses) and also the azan (Muslim call to prayer)."

She added that she was not aware that her actions were being recorded, and also said she had not suffered any abuse while under detention.

As soon as she was dismissed, she was taken out of the room by a woman with her coat held closely around her head and shoulders.

At yesterday's hearing , three witnesses from the police were quizzed on the incident while the policewoman in the clip was also identified.

Five witnesses testified during the morning session today, which ended at 12.45pm. The hearing continues at 2.15pm.

A total of 21 witnesses are expected to be called to testify up to Dec 23. The commission has 30 working days to wrap up its probe.

The other members are former MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek, former Bar Council chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, and Internal Security Ministry deputy secretary-general Hamzah Md Rus, who is the commission secretary.

The commission is required to:

  • determine whether the woman seen in the video clip doing 'ear squats' in the nude was one of the five Chinese nationals who were arrested and held by police;

  • investigate the handling of the body search of the woman seen in the video clip doing 'ear squats' in the nude;

  • determine whether there was any impropriety in the handling of the body search; and

  • investigate the standard operating procedure, approaches or regulations in the handling of body search in connection with the arrest and detention by the police, and to propose any changes if needed.