Suhakam condemns cops for 'excessive force'

The Human Rights Commission did not mince its words today in condemning the "excessive force" being used by the police against residents during the fracas at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras on Tuesday night.

The commission also demanded the police to explain the alleged beating of a 21-year-old man during the incident where about 200 BMC residents were ordered to disperse by the police.

“In doing their duties, they have to be more human-rights friendly and the degree of brutality used did not justify it (their action),” Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam told a press conference today.

He said while the police had the authority to take action against the residents, this had to be in accordance with human rights.

Chang Jiun Haur (left), who was with his sister and two other men in a car, was allegedly dragged out of his Proton Wira and repeatedly kicked and beaten by 20 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel armed with shields and batons. [See 5-min video]

Another Suhakam commissioner, Denison Jayasooria, also questioned the use of extraordinary force by the police.

“There’s no logic that (the victims are a threat) but suddenly everybody was beating the driver (Chang) and no one had bothered to question him first,” he said.

Chang was subsequently hospitalised for injuries to his face and other parts of his body.

FRU must show proof

The two Suhakam commissioners, who visited Chang in Teluk Kemang Hospital, Port Dickson yesterday, said the victim had informed them how he and his friends felt “terrorised” in their car.

“They also did not have the opportunity to explain themselves (to the police),” said Subramaniam.

According to Subramaniam, it was “absurd” for a team of well-trained FRU men to “feel threatened” by four unarmed youths.

“If they (FRU) have proof that they were hit by the car (as claimed), then they have to provide the names of the officers who were injured,” he said.

Jayasooria also explained that those in the vehicle - three males and one female - did not look like they are "gangsters".

“There were no signs of weapons, sticks or even parang (with them),” he said.

“If the police had asked them to stop, they would have stopped.”

Recalling the incident, Jayasooria said the teenagers had used the toll-free road on their way home.

“And according to them, there were no visible signs of a police road block.”

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung told Parliament yesterday that according to a report given to him from the police, two police officers were hurt - one on the hand and another on the thigh - from falling down after being knocked by the said car.

Subramaniam added that the affected officers should state which hospital they had gone to for treatment and the doctors who had attended to their injuries.

Chang was first treated at Teluk Kemang Hospital in Port Dickson, which is his hometown. He went home soon after but Suhakam advised him to get further treatment in Seremban Hospital, where he now is warded.

Call for inquiry

Subramaniam also revealed that Suhakam went to the Kajang police station yesterday but failed to meet with the police officers.

“Due to short notice, most of the officers were out on other appointments,” he said.

But both commisioners had a chance to view the vehicle in question and examine the extent of damage to Chang's car.

“The driver’s window was broken, the backlights were also broken mostly due to being hit by the shields of the FRU men,” said Denison.

The Suhakam commissioners will be proposing a public inquiry into the matter at the commission’s meeting on June 9.

Subramaniam added that he was disappointed with the police violence despite "countless inquiries" launched into the excessive use of force.

He cited the KLCC incident as an example.

Subramaniam was referring to the more than two dozen individuals who detained by the police near the Kuala Lumpur City Centre ahead of a protest against price hikes organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes).

Toll operator Grand Saga has been involved in a long-running dispute over its bid to block a toll-free access road from BMC to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

The barricade has been rebuilt on several occasions, after being torn down by residents and has resulted in several violent clashes, including on Tuesday night - between the parties as well with the police.

Watch the 9-min video of the Suhakam PC in Malaysiakini.tv .

SPECIAL REPORT: The Grand Saga in Cheras