The police is conducting an investigation into the alleged assault on Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua while in police custody and will consider requests by two human rights groups that the findings be made public.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai gave his assurance that the demands forwarded by Suaram and Hakam will be looked into at a meeting with representatives from the organisations this morning.

Hakam secretary-general Elizabeth Wong told malaysiakini that Suaram and Hakam submitted a four-point memorandum to the police, demanding that Bukit Aman conduct an investigation into Chua's alleged assault; that the findings be made public; that the officers found to be involved in the assault be suspended pending a criminal charge against them; and that the police apologise to Chua.

Wong said the two organisations wanted Bukit Aman to investigate the case as they felt it would be more effective if officers of a higher rank conduct the investigation.

"The police said they were investigating but we want people with more authority to investigate," said Wong.

Wong and Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvan attended the meeting which started at 10am and lasted 40 minutes. Also present were SAC Musa Hassan from Bukit Aman and ACP Mat Zain from the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

Chua was allegedly beaten, punched and kicked by police officers while being detained following a gathering near the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 8, the day of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial verdict ([#1] Tian Chua beaten up in lock-up [/#], Aug 9).

A medical report issued by Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia revealed that Chua had fractured two of his lumbar vertebrae as a result of a severe kick which left boot marks below his left kidney.

Wong said the IGP did not confirm or deny the assault on Chua but suggested that Chua could have been injured in other ways, such as when he was carried away from the demonstration area by police officers.

"But our position is that there is no way a person could fracture his vertebrae in this manner," said Wong, adding that the human rights groups have submitted to the police a name list of police officers whom Chua identified as being involved and the point at which they were involved in the alleged assault.

The IGP had agreed to meet with the two organisations to obtain more information on the alleged attack on Chua ([#2] IGP to meet rights groups over assault on Chua [/#], Aug 14).

Wong said today's meeting was a positive development as it showed that the police is concerned about the alleged assault, adding that it is rare that the police would arrange a meeting with non-governmental organisations on such issues.

"It is a good sign that perhaps some justice will be meted out to Tian Chua and other people who are victims of abuse," she said.

Wong and Arutchelvan also raised the issue of freedom of assembly at the meeting and asked that the police cooperate with people who want to attend peaceful demonstrations.

"The IGP told us that they (the police) give out hundreds of permits a day but not to people who want to gather in public areas, including the National Mosque," said Wong. "Our position is that people should be able to gather wherever they wish.

"However, it was an open-ended discussion and we did not come to any conclusions," she added.