The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is still waiting for a response from the police to its request to interview police personnel who were on duty during the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally.

In a statement to brief the public about Suhakam’s proposed public inquiry on the rally, commission chairperson Hasmy Agam said reminders sent to the police had also been hitherto ignored.

NONE However, the commission has already completed its sourcing of documents, statements, video recordings and identification of witnesses for the inquiry.

“(The commission) is currently in the process of completing its interview sessions with the witnesses and also making arrangements to interview witnesses residing outside the Klang Valley,” said Hasmy.

Hearing dates for the public inquiry will be fixed and announced once the interview process has been concluded.

The commission had called for a public inquiry into allegations of excessive force used by the authorities during the clampdown on the Bersih 2.0 rally.

The panel will be chaired by Suhakam vice-chairperson Khaw Lake Tee and assisted by Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid and Detta Samen.

bersih rally 090711 police kick protestor story image Nearly 1,700 people were arrested during the July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur where more than 10,000 Malaysians rallied for improvements to the electoral system.

However, they were met with tear gas, water cannons and in some cases assault as the Najib Abdul Razak administration was adamant in keeping protesters off the streets.

Although the Najib administration insisted that there was no physical contact between the police and protesters, pictures and video clips documenting the contrary flooded the Internet soon after the event.