Bersih 2.0 rally organisers and observers today confirmed that their accounts of police brutality have not been recorded by investigators, raising doubts if their complaints will be fairly assessed in the ongoing police probe on what transpired during the rally.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar had announced yesterday that the probe, conducted by six newly-formed committees, was nearly complete and that findings would be revealed in public “very soon”.
“As far as I know, I do not think that anyone has been called. If anyone is called up to speak to the cops, the steering committee members are usually kept informed on an email thread,” said Dr Subramaniam Pillay, one of Bersih 2.0’s steering committee members.
“But on this matter... so far, nothing. We have not been asked to surrender videos or pictures, not that I know of.”
The Inspector-General of Police had told a press conference at the Bukit Aman headquarters yesterday that the probe would include a careful study of all videos and pictures of the rally and interviews with police officers on duty that day, the general public and rally participants or eyewitnesses.
Bar Council vice-president Christopher Leong confirmed that none of the council’s over 100 rally monitors had been called up to aid investigations although the probe commenced last week.
“I have spoken to our CEO Rajen Devaraj and as far as we know, the police have not contacted the council or our monitoring team to get any input. We have not been asked to surrender videos or pictures,” he said when contacted.
The council’s monitors have compiled their own observations in a special report released after the rally, concluding that the police had “arbitrarily, indiscriminately and excessively” used unnecessary force on Bersih 2.0 protestors.
Apart from the Bar Council, human rights group Suhakam had two commissioners and more than 30 staff members on the ground during the protest, while PAS had deployed more than 5,000 unit amal members.
“I am very sure that none of our people were called to offer our views. As far as I know, no one has told us anything about this,” Suhakam commissioner James Nayagam told
PAS MP Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, who was in the thick of the chaos on July 9, also confirmed with The Malaysian Insider that the police have yet to seek input from any party member.
“But what did you expect? They will only interview the thousands of policemen on duty that day. My impression is that they only want to compare videos... from YouTube or elsewhere on the internet,” he said. “And you can expect that they will only show videos of the police smiling and waving and all that. Perhaps a few shots of people approaching the police in an angry manner.”
Leong agreed, saying if the probe failed to include interviews of those from Bersih 2.0, PAS, Suhakam or the Bar Council, it was likely to be “an incomplete and insufficient investigation”.
“Of course they should be contacting not only you (Bar Council) but the two other significant groups - Bersih 2.0 and PAS. They would obviously have an account of what happened.
“The PAS’s unit amal guys were very organised in terms of crowd control and facilitating the whole rally and if they have 5,000 people working officially, they should be asked their views,” he said.
IGP Ismail had promised the media yesterday that a special video screening session featuring relevant recordings of the rally would be held in Bukit Aman once he receives the final report on the probe.
Tens of thousands took to the capital’s streets on July 9 to join Bersih 2.0’s rally calling for free and fair elections but were forced back by the police who fired tear gas canisters and water cannons at them.
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Its an obvious strategy from the Police they will take ages to conclude the investigation. Maybe they will say that bersih is not their priority. Public pressure has no effect to them as they are attached politically. Shielded in the ruling government. How can such organization function well when they are not independent.
A one-sided probe will only benefit one side. We are "fighting" for the noble cause for a Free & Fair" elections. UMNO is scared of being exposed when we actually probe the EC. Changing the rules at EC would definately affect UMNO.... this is why they are jumping up n down, threatening and insulting.
as usual the investigation is only center at the police own account, typical of self arrogance of government dept. They will also show more video to prove their point like what CSL said; "it depends on which angle you see"
hahahahahhaa..every one knows thier so called investigate is to show good footage and to save their image and discredit real truth... shame on them..there is no truth and justice in MALAYSIA..
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