A DAP leader's suit against the police for assaulting him seven years ago will be mentioned at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on July 5.

The suit was filed by DAP publicity secretary Ronnie Liu against the then Petaling Jaya police chief Johar Che Din and ex-federal police chief Rahim Noor in September 1998.

The case was to be heard today before Justice Kamardin Hashim but was adjourned for mention on July 5 after Liu's lawyer withdrew herself. Liu wanted a lawyer who was more informed about the case.

"I felt uneasy as we were not well prepared for the hearing today," Liu said.

The case was originally handled by DAP Youth leader Teng Chang Khim but he was abroad. The lawyer present in court today is Teng's colleague.

Liu claimed that he was beaten with batons by the Federal Reserve Unit (riot police) on the morning of Sept 18, 1995 after he attempted to stop the police and local authorities from demolishing several squatter homes in Petaling Jaya.

The project was to make way for a Putra LRT station in Taman Paramount. Liu added that out of some 100 houses in the area, 60 were demolished by the government.

He said PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali and his wife were also present when the assault took place.

Beaten bloody

Liu claimed that after he pleaded for the demolition to stop, he was beaten bloody by the police. He was then taken to the SS2 police station without being given prior treatment for his injuries which included a 6cm gash.

He claimed that he was a victim of police brutality and that the police officers had acted unprofessionally.

The police, in their reply, said that Liu was responsible for what happened as he was obstructing the demolition works and causing a 'public disturbance'.

Asked why he only filed the suit in 1998 and not immediately in 1995, Liu said he wanted disciplinary action to be taken against the police officers involved and that a lawsuit was only the last resort.

"I initially lodged two police reports and hoped that action would be taken by the officers involved. I am also unhappy over the postponing of my case. Even Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when he was Home Minister, had said that investigations have begun but nothing has been decided," Liu said.