Photographic evidence of alleged police brutality were brought to the fore today during the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) public inquiry into the 'Bloody Sunday' incident earlier this year which provoked outraged after it was violently disrupted by police.

Lua Khang Wei, 25, related how he was injured when attempting to protect his friends from batons wielded by Federal Reserve Unit's (FRU) personnel during the May 28 peaceful anti-petrol price hike on May 28 at the Kuala Lumpur City Centree (KLCC).

"I was trying to lift up my friend (another witness, Lee Huat Seng) who fell to the ground after he was pushed by the FRU men [...] I was hit a few times," he related adding he felt fearful when he saw the FRU personnel shouting and raising their batons to hit other people.

"I remember my right arm feeling very painful and my glasses fell off from my face," he said.

The clerk told the panel comprising commissioners KC Vohrah, Choo Siew Kioh, Dr Michael Yeoh and Zaitoon Othman that he also suffered a cut on his right cheek.

The doctor who treated Lua and Lee, who was also called to testify, said the injuries sustained by the duo were consistent with those inflicted by a baton or a similar object.

"I can affirm that they had slight injuries resulting from blows from a hard object which could be done by a baton or a balled up fists," said the doctor.

Photos of the injuries suffered by Lee and Lua was then shown on the panel. They depicted several images Lua's bleeding right cheek and bruises on Lee's shoulder.

Photos showing the police and FRU 'in action' that fateful day and images of the crowd's reactions were also tendered.

Observers present

Other witnesses before the panel today included teacher Lai Chee Sen Lee, NGO staff Lee Khai Loon and sales executive Soh Sook Hwa.

Observers present at the inquiry were WK Chan and Edward Saw for the Bar Council, Supt Rusli Ahmad for the Inspector-General of Police's Secretariat and Mohd Radzi Harun for the Attorney-General's Chambers.

The public inquiry which started last week will determine whether any human rights violations occurred during the May 28 peaceful demonstration and if so:

which person or agency was responsible for the violations;

how such violations came about;

what administrative directives and procedures or arrangements contributed to them; and

what measures should be recommended to be taken to ensure that such violence does not recur.

This is the fifth public inquiry held by the human rights watchdog since its formation in 1999.

Previous inquiries were on the Kesas Highway incident (2001); conditions faced by Internal Security Act detainees (2002); alleged mistreatment of native villagers in Sabah by the police (2004); and the death of S Hendry while in police custody (2006).

The inquiry continues tomorrow.

'Bloody Sunday' photo gallery