The police were today criticised for using excessive force on those who staged a peaceful protest against the increase in fuel prices over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

Some of the protestors raised their grouses with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) this morning.

They wanted the commission to launch an inquiry into the incident and bring to justice all the police personnel involved.

They also wanted Suhakam to issue a statement condemning the police's action and reaffirming the rights to assembly and expression.

The protest , which drew some 1,500 people, outside the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) was led by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and several opposition political parties.

During their meeting with commissioners N Siva Subramaniam and Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan at the Suhakam office, they noted several incidences that warranted answers.

Guns versus balloons

Human rights group Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng ( left ) asked why the police had acted harshly and resorted to arrests.

"We also question the need for the police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to bring dogs and horses to disperse the protestors," he said, adding that a water cannon was also used.

While the police brandished rifles and guns, Yap said, the protestors were merely armed with balloons and placards.

He also said that during the course of arrests, some of the protestors were assaulted.

The commissioners were also shown photographs, including that of one

Abdul Hamid Baharawy whose forehead swelled after being hit by a police baton.

Three others, Mohd Fiqtriey Al Haqimiey, Salmah Abdul Rashid and Khairul Anwar Khushairy complained of being assaulted to the commissioners.

SB present at meet

Yap also questioned the actions of Kuala Lumpur deputy CID chief Ramli Din in preventing MTUC members from entering Parliament on Monday to submit a memorandum on the price increase.

"What is the purpose of having a Dewan Rakyat when the rakyat are not allowed in?" he asked.

Meanwhile, lawyer R Sivarasa spoke against the action of Dang Wangi deputy district police chief Mohd Rodzi Ismail in briefly blocking the entrance to the Suhakam office later that day.

Lawyer Latheefa Koya ( right ) pointed out that the presence of uniformed police and Special Branch officers at this morning's meeting was a clear form of harassment and intimidation.

The Suhakam commissioners promised to look into the complaints and relay the memorandum to their chairperson Abu Talib Othman.