The Home Ministry wants all concerns, complaints and necessary evidence on the April 28 rally to be directed to the Independent Advisory Panel to enable it to come up with a conclusive picture of what occurred before, during and after the gathering.

Its minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, said the recommendations on the rally made by the six-man panel headed by former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar would be a collective decision of the panel, and not based on the individual itself.

“I hope the panel members would be accorded all necessary support and encouragement to carry out their duties, which is to paint a true picture of the rally riots, without any undue pressure and distraction,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

The government on Wednesday announced the appointment of panel members to gather actual details on the riots in Kuala Lumpur, following the rally.

The other members of the panel are former chief justice of Borneo Steve Shim, Kumpulan Akhbar Sinar Harian managing director Husammuddin Yaacub, Sin Chiew Group legal adviser Liew Peng Chuan, Petronas Corporate Affairs senior general manager Medan Abdullah and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia psychologist Prof Dr Ruszmi Ismail.

Hishammuddin said the inclusion of two serving members of the media, corporate figure, psychologist, retired judge and a former inspector-general of police in the panel was a clear manifestation of the government’s commitment to unveil the truth.

“We welcome the information and feedback brought by several parties, including from the National Union of Journalists (on the panel).

“I wish to state that the panel is made up of six distinguished individuals, including the chairperson. It is impossible to satisfy the wants of each and every party, especially that of politicians and those with vested interests,” he said.

Hishammuddin noted that the criticisms against the Teoh Beng Hock and VK Lingam royal commission of inquiries were clear examples of how even the distinguished members of the society were not spared when it involved highly politicised issues.

- Bernama