A top police officer told the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry today that the police task was "total denial and domination" to prevent the Keadilan-organised '100,000 People's Gathering' from taking place on last Nov 5.

Klang police chief Karn Kan Peng, whose role was assistant commander at the Jalan Kebun rally, told the inquiry "in view of the gravity and seriousness of the matter", the Selangor deputy police chief SAC (I) Johar Che Din was appointed the grand commander of police operations on that day.

"We received information around the end of October that an illegal gathering would take place. As a result of this information, a series of meeting were held at the Selangor Police Contingent headquarters in Shah Alam and Klang.

"We then called for a meeting of the senior police officers and representatives of commanders of Unit Udara, Federal Reserve Unit, Police Field Force, St John Ambulance, enforcement officers from the Shah Alam City Hall and Klang Municipal Council and the district office's representative.

"It was decided after this meeting that there would be a 'total denial and domination' to prevent the rally from taking place. The tactical base was at the Jalan Kebun school and a deployment of four FRUs and Public Order Rights Unit (Poru) was made, with14 road blocks in and around Klang to ensure smooth traffic flow," said Karn.

The Suhakam inquiry, chaired by Anuar Zainal Abidin and assisted by Mehrun Siraj and Simon Sipaun, is investigating allegations of police brutality in the aborted Nov 5 opposition rally.

Stumped for answers

Karn also mentioned that four protest letters from the villagers of Kampung Jalan Kebun, in which the rally was supposed to take place. He said that the villagers held a demonstration to show their displeasure.

Mehrun and Simon asked Karn why no action was taken to stop the illegal demonstration by the villagers, and why were the police taking action against the opposition rally.

Mehrun: The kampung people have also held a demonstration. Isn't that an illegal gathering also?

Karn: We cannot answer that question.

Mehrun: What is the basis on taking action on some and letting some go?

Sipaun: Double standards?

Karn: There were instances where police did not issue permit and the opposition ceramah were nevertheless held.

Mehrun (showing a letter by the village committee to the police): This letter carries a threat " Kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab sekiranya berlaku sesuatu yang tidak diingini " (We will not be held responsible for any untoward incidences).

Karn: There were special inquiries made by the police.

Anuar: You wait and see?

Karn: Action will be taken after the application for the permit is submitted.

Anuar: If it (untoward incident) really happened and the demonstrators were from the kampung , will you take action?

Karn: (No response)

Anuar: "Would you consider that an illegal assembly?

Karn: Yes.

Mehrun: They (previous witnesses in the inquiry) showed us photographs of them (villagers) carrying sepanduk . Why stop only certain groups when we have fair treatment of all citizens?

Karn: (No response)

Anuar: Are you given the discretion to judge the situation?

Karn: I don't know. Yes, it depends on the situation.

Alternative routes

Karn told the inquiry that on the day of gathering on Nov 5, two FRU and Poru units were at the rally venue, and although there was a total road block in the area, there were many alternative routes for people to leave.

"At about 1.40pm, we received information that supporters of the opposition front were parking and abandoning their cars on the Kesas highway on Km 24 and Km 25, leaving only the middle lane free.

Karn then told of how a "boisterous" group headed by a Mona Sofian who blocked the lane and when they wanted to arrest him (Mona), he locked himself in his car.

Karn said he was unaware of the allegation by Mona that the police had smashed his windscreen and kicked his car, referring often to the crowd as "boisterous supporters of the opposition, shouting reformasi".

When asked how many cars were there, Karn said: "1,000".

"1,000 cars or people?" asked Anuar.

"Cars and people," replied Karn, who estimated the crowd as comprising 5,000 people.

Mehrun asked Karn whether there was a possibility people abandoning their cars because they had no way to go forward as the FRU had blocked their path.

Karn said he agreed with Mehrun's suggestion.

Karn: We tried to tow the cars. Maybe because of frustration, they started parking their cars.

Mehrun: Which came first? The cars parked and the roads being closed?

Karn: I agree with you. There is no reason for Kesas highway to be blocked. Even though we closed it, there should be free flow (of traffic).

Karn then explained that the closure was only the entry to Jalan Kebun.

Five fronts

Karn also described of how the FRU then moved forward on the crowd, but he said he was not in a position to answer many of the questions posed to him by the commissioners as he was not at all the five fronts that the police were supposed to control.

He also said nothing was dropped onto the crowd from police helicopters. A number witnesses have testified earlier that tear-gas canisters were thrown from the helicopters.

Throughout the part where Karn was explaining what happened on the Kesas highway, there was much confusion as what really took place. Anuar then requested Karn to assist them should Suhakam decide to visit the scene to get a clearer picture.

DSP Bahwan Din and ASP Shamsuddin are expected to testify on Friday when the inquiry resumes hearing,