A Suhakam commissioner today said there was clear and indisputable evidence of police violence during last Sunday's crackdown on a peaceful anti-fuel and electricity price hike demonstration in Kuala Lumpur.

Choo Siew Kioh ( centre ) said this after witnessing photographs and videos of Sunday's protest and hearing testimonies from victims of police violence during a complaint proceedings at Suhakam's headquarters this afternoon.

"I would say that such an infliction of pain on a selected group of people who were gathered there to protest on social and economic issues is against the dignity and human rights of all Malaysian citizens," he said.

"I'm sorry that you suffered so much," said Choo - Suhakam's Complaints and Inquiries Working Group chief - to Amran Zulkifli who was left bleeding profusely after Sunday's protest.

During the two-hour meeting with three Suhakam commissioners, including N Siva Subramaniam and Dr Denison Jayasooria, the commissioners appeared convinced there were violations of human rights by the police, but declined to commit to a public inquiry on the matter.

"I am greatly concerned and distressed [...] there seems to be a pattern of excessive and violent reaction on the part of the police in what they perceive to be in line with their peacekeeping duties.

"People who are totally armed and clad with body armor reacting against children (and women) cannot be said to be taking self-defence actions," said Choo, adding that the Suhakam will offer an official stand after a commissioners meet on June 12.

At the peaceful demo in front of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), 20 people were arrested while at least two fathers, including Amran, were brutally assaulted by riot police in front their children. Shoppers and tourists watched the entire episode in disbelief.

Meeting with IGP

Amran told the commissioners that he and his family were merely on a shopping trip to KLCC before deciding to check out the commotion at the protest where he said he was attacked from behind by riot police.

Siva then asked the large crowd of activists and protest participants present if "... anyone else was innocent (like Amran)" and was greeted with shouts of agreement from throughout the jam-packed room. A human rights campaigner, Elizabeth Wong, was heard saying, "All those at the protest were innocent".

During the meeting, Siva also took to task activists and opposition politicians who alleged that Suhakam has not done enough to prevent police violence during public assemblies.

He said that Suhakam had 'absolute powers' to hold investigations and inquiries, making it a powerful statutory body. He revealed that Suhakam had already started investigations into police violence at public assemblies even before today's complaints were lodged.

He said he had tried to contact Dang Wangi OCPD Kamal Pasha for further details and had also met Inspector-General of Police Bakri Omar yesterday on the matter.

He denied allegations that Suhakam was ambiguous on freedom of assembly, a right enshrined under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

"Suhakam's stand on freedom of assembly is very clear, [....] for example if the crowd starts moving away, they should not be chased and arrested or assaulted, we have been very comprehensive on our stand," said Siva, adding that Suhakam nevertheless accepted criticisms against it in good faith.

Siva said Suhakam was in the midst of arranging another meeting with Bakri next week.

Police chief Bakri defended the conduct of his men on Sunday, saying that they had used 'minimal force' .