The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) should launch an independent and impartial investigation whether police had been too trigger-happy in firing tear gas and water cannons at yesterday's reformasi gathering in Shah Alam, Selangor, an opposition leader said today.

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang (photo, far left) said in a statement that every case of firing tear gas and spraying chemically-laced water should be investigated. He added that witnesses must be invited to ascertain whether police was justified in trying to forestall a breakdown of public order or were they just over-reacting to the situation.

Riot police fired tear gas and blasted water from cannons on a 5,000-strong crowd of reformasi supporters who were gathered along the Kesas Highway near Shah Alam yesterday, on their way to attend the Gathering of 100,000 Citizens organised by Keadilan.

Many who defied police orders to disperse were beaten up. Police were also seen smashing windows, as well as the head and back lights of cars driven by the protestors. About 116 supporters were arrested.

"I have no doubt that every instance of firing tear gas and water cannon yesterday was an over-reaction completely unjustified by the circumstances, in utter disregard of the peaceful nature of the assembly and the women and children who were present," Lim said, who was among the reformasi crowd.

Last week, Suhakam chairman Musa Hitam said that he would not be sending any observers to yesterday's gathering because it was "organised by a political party".

'Gestapo tactics'

Meanwhile, PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali condemned the use of "gestapo" tactics by the police, adding that had they just allowed the peaceful assembly to be held, things would have gone on well without any problem for the police.

"Some stupid senior police officers, at the behest of a certain paranoid leader, chose to act in a very irresponsible and wild manner.

"If they think they can kill the reformasi movement this way, they are badly mistaken. The gathering showed that reformasi is very much alive," he said.

Syed Husin added that there will be unpredictable consequences when the people are denied their just and democratic rights.

"Some of them may choose confrontational methods when peaceful ones are denied. In fact, some may even resort to illegal ways when the legal ones are closed. The government will be held responsible for any undesirable consequences of these," he said.

Abdullah held responsible

PAS MP for Pokok Sena Mahfuz Omar also criticised the police brutality displayed yesterday, saying that the police and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be held responsible for the beatings.

"I was informed that one of the supporters by the name of Saidin is partially blind due to the tear gas that was fired. He is now being treated by a specialist. The police and the home minister are to be held responsible and a tribunal should be called to investigate the matter," he told malaysiakini today.

He added, however, that the gathering yesterday was a success as people came out in large droves to claim for their rights.

"It is a clear sign from the people to the government that it should not interfere in their rights. It is enough to show that they want (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resign," he said.