Suhakam today received photographic evidence of police action over last Friday's student march in support of the ISA 7 trial which saw one student allegedly beaten, pepper sprayed and arrested.

In filing a complaint to the national human rights commission, student activist and spokesperson of the Students' Abolish ISA Movement (GMMI) Syahrir Mahmood, strongly urged the body to outline specific sanctions to be taken against policemen responsible for abuse.

Suhakam commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan and secretary Kamaruddin Mohd Baria were present to receive the complaints.

Meaningful steps

After presenting copies of the police report, photos and visual evidence of alleged police violence during the peaceful march in VCD format, Syahrir said he hoped Suhakam would be able to take on meaningful measures in upholding citizen's rights in the country.

Syahrir was the sole person arrested among the 300 students who had marched from the National Mosque to the Kuala Lumpur's magistrate court as escort to the seven students suspended from university and currently facing trial for organising anti-ISA protests.

Two days later on July 20, Syahrir filed a police report claiming "unnecessary and excessive" force by the police.

"It is not sufficient to merely investigate and make a report on the matter...we want Suhakam to recommend specific sanctions and disciplinary action against violators, in which it must follow through," said lawyer Ramdas Tikamdas who is representing Syahrir.

As individual police officers involved in the beatings have been identified, Ramdas stressed that specific punishments must be meted out, such as demotion or suspension.

"Here we have an open and brazen assault in broad daylight...if this could occur openly, what about those held indoors and inside lock-ups?" Ramdas questioned, raising issue that the police alone cannot be expected to reform themselves - the push must come from without.

He also informed Suhakam that should it require further evidence, witnesses to the event are willing to come forward and provide full cooperation in any investigation.

Speaking to reporters later, Ramdas said that they will wait for the results of Suhakam's inquiry before taking further action on the matter.

"We have passed on specific evidence to the commission...we hope they will be able to make specific recommendation to government agencies, who must comply. If the agencies refuse to comply, then obviously we have a situation where Suhakam's authority [is undermined]," he said.

Made a target

Helman Sanuddin, one of the ISA 7 currently facing charges for allegedly violating the University and University Colleges Act (1984), was also among the 60-odd crowd at the Suhakam office today.

According to Helman, Syahril was arrested only when he was isolated from the crowd.

"Perhaps he had made too many press statements on behalf of the ISA 7, which made him a target," he speculated, adding that efforts to champion the cause of the ISA 7 have been sabotaged many times.

He said it was ironic that public demonstrations held by the government is never subject to tear gas or fired at with water cannons, but their peaceful marches are always subject to such action.

"Students protest on the streets because the government chooses to reject or ignore their opinion on matters involving education and human rights," said Helman

"The intention of such marches is to show to the public the opinion of the students on such matters - the demonstration is for the people."

Among others who spoke at the meeting were Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia student council president and National Student Action Front (BBMN) chairperson Haris Alimudin, former UKM student council president Abdullah Abdul Karim and Malaysian Youth and Student Democratic Movement (Dema) representative Teo Shee Juan.

Haris also presented to Hamdan a memorandum jointly signed by ten youth and student bodies to protest what they claim to be unprofessional conduct of the authorities during the march, where the police misused their discretionary power and behaved aggressively against those present.

Ethical guidelines

"Police jurisdiction should be reviewed, and Suhakam should draw up ethical guidelines [to guard against improper conduct]," he said.

In responding to the complaints, Hamdam, who is also Fomca president, said that investigation will take place as soon as possible, adding that dialogues with the police will also be undertaken so that they too can investigate to see if anything that should not have occurred, did occur.

"Suhakam will not just report their findings, but [the feedback] will also consist of recommendations, as we feel just as strongly as you feel over [the issue of police misconduct]," he added.

In total, representatives of 12 student and youth bodies were present at the meeting, including the Muslim Student Consultative Council (MPMI), reform group Karisma, youth activist group University Bangsar Utama, and the Independent Student Resource and Legal Training Centre (Isrec).

Student councils present today were from UKM, University Malaya, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, International Islamic University and Universiti Sains Malaysia.