The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) should not be silent on repressive police action in the recent spates of demonstration, said an opposition leader today.

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said Suhakam should instead clearly state its opinion on the breaches of fundamental human rights.

"Suhakam's silence on these demonstrations was disconcerting and will not enhance the commission's credibility," said Lim in a statement.

He was referring to Musa's refusal yesterday to comment on the demonstrations. Musa had said that he did not want any misinterpretation that he was siding with one or the other.

Police offensive

The police are alleged to have used high-handed methods to disperse the crowds at demonstrations in Jitra, Kulim and Kubang Pasu, all in Kedah and in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.

Lim claimed that in the events, police were trigger-happy in firing tear gas and chemical-laced water on the peaceful gatherings in Sabak Bernam, Kubang Pasu and Kulim.

Police also arrested eight people in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday during a protest over the appointment of former attorney-general Mohtar Abdullah as a Federal judge. On Sunday 46 people, including 11 women, participating in a walkathon to oppose the closure of a 70-year-old Chinese-language school were hauled in by police.

In each case protesters were accused of ignoring controversial curbs on public gatherings, under which police can declare any gathering of more than three people illegal.

Illegal assembly is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine or both. Opposition leaders on Monday jointly condemned the police action and called for an immediate halt to "the new round of oppression".

Law-abiding citizens

"Suhakam cannot remain blind and deaf to the recent spate of high-handed and repressive police actions against opposition gatherings. The police seemed to be acting under a new directive and disregarding traditional restraints," said Lim.

He said the 46 arrested participants of the "Save Damansara School" walkathon last Sunday were treated like criminals by the police upon their arrest.

"They were required to give fingerprints of all 10 digits in three separate documents and police also took mug shots of each participant.

"They are law-abiding Malaysians who merely want to save the original Damansara school from being closed."

The walkathon was organised to support SRJK (C) Damansara in Petaling Jaya, the Chinese national-type primary school that was closed last month. The students had been directed by the Education Ministry to temporarily transfer to SRJK (C) Puay Chai (II) - a few kilometres away - while awaiting the completion of a new school in Tropicana by the end of the year.

However, the authorities have been unable to provide a clear explanation as to what will happen to the historic school and the site it is situated on. While the majority of the students have moved to Puay Chai (II), 67 have stayed put and are continuing their classes in a temple near the old school.

Authorised gatherings

Lim however said that he was glad with Musa's statement that Suhakam's first annual report to the Parliament in April will include recommendations for legitimising peaceful demonstrations.

Musa said yesterday that the report will also include guidelines on "ways and means to demonstrate" and that the commission was in the process of consulting with relevant authorities on the possibility of putting a clear recommendation on the right to demonstrate.

He also said that the commission will include in the report its views on laws that affect human rights standards, adding that laws such as the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, Police Act, and possibly matters related to the holding of demonstrations would be mentioned in the report

Lim also said that the commission should also include in the report the findings of its ongoing inquiry into allegations of abuse of powers by the police on demonstrators at the Kesas Highway last Nov 5.

However, Musa had said that the outcome of the inquiry will only be reported next year as the report to be tabled this April was for activities done last year.