A resident, who witnessed the alleged assault of a 23-year-old mechanic during the Bandar Mahkota Cheras fracas, said he could recognise the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel involved because he was good looking.

"I can identify him because he was handsome," Lai Wai Chong, 34, told the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) public inquiry today.

Suhakam is investigating if the police had used excessive force during the May 27 incident.

mahkota cheras fru assault youth victim chang jiun haur 100608 Yesterday, the mechanic Chang Jiun Haur ( left ) and his sister Jiun Mein related how the former was allegedly dragged out of his car and beaten by FRU personnel.

Recalling the incident, Lai said he noticed one of the police personnel because of his "good looks" since he did not bring down his helmet visor.

However, Lai, who installs home alarms for a living, told the inquiry that he would only be able to recognise the police personnel if he "puts on the same uniform he wore that night."

"Otherwise, I will not be able to as I would not know if he is bald or not," he added to the amusement of those present.

'Stop beating the public'

Lai, who was the first witness to testify today, said he saw three to four plainclothes police officers dragging Chang out of the car. They then allegedly "kicked and hit" the mechanic.

cheras mahkota fru assault on car sequence 280508 "Upon seeing this, other bystanders and myself started shouting "polis, jangan hentam rakyat!" (Police, don’t beat the public).

"(But) after we shouted, the police stopped (beating him). I saw him (Chang) fell to the ground and he was kicked again," he added.

Following this, Lai said the mechanic was trying to stand up and this was when he was set upon by the ‘handsome’ FRU personnel.

"When he got up, I saw the FRU personnel proceed towards him and he used his shield to beat this person and at the same time, he kicked him. I think the police thought he was trying to run away," he added.

Asked to describe how the personnel beat Chang, he replied: "He directed his shield once at him and kicked him about two to three times in his stomach."

The public inquiry which started yesterday is being conducted at Suhakam's headquarters in Menara Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

The inquiry panel is headed by commissioner Zaiton Othman, and includes commissioners Dr Chiam Heng Keng and Khalid Ibrahim.

Suhakam is expected to call a total of 22 witnesses in all.

Among those who have been asked to testify are Malaysiakini journalists Syed Jamal Zahiid and Lee Weng Kiat and videographer Ng Kok Foong.

'Saw the cop before'

Lai was also positive that he had seen the FRU personnel on several occasions before that night as part of a police team keeping a watch on Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Another witness in the inquiry, Chong Yuan Chun, who is Lai's cousin and was with him that night, also claimed that he had seen the cop prior to the night of the fracas.

"Yes, I have seen him before - two or three times prior to the incident but every time I saw him, he was wearing a uniform and had his helmet on," said Chong, 30.

The car-wash operator further described the cop as "tall, slim and Malay".

His descriptions however, did not satisfy the panel and he was asked to explain in detail what made him believe the cop was Malay.

"Well, he had a Malay complexion, a Malay (skin) colour, like him," said Chong, drawing laughter in the inquiry room when he pointed at Khalid Ibrahim, one of the commissioners.

Chong added that the FRU had "acted aggressively" towards Chang.

"They kicked him very hard and there was a group of FRU personnel surrounding and hitting the car. There was also no resistance from the boy (Chang)," said Chong.

He however said he did not see any other passengers in the car besides Chang.

Lai and Chong rushed to the scene at about 11.30pm on May 27 after being informed that there were "gangsters assaulting the residents".

The inquiry was adjourned at 5.15pm and will commence tomorrow with testimony from the police. About 10 police officers are expected to go before the inquiry.

T erms of reference

The panel's three-point terms of reference are:

a) To inquire whether or not any law enforcement personnel, in performance of their duty to maintain law and order, had used excessive force during the incident;

b) If there was excessive use of force, whether there was any violation of human rights of any person or persons and, who were responsible for such violations, and

c) To recommend what action to be taken against those responsible for the violation of human rights.

Watch 6-min video of police beating Chang

SPECIAL REPORT: The Grand Saga in Cheras