Suhakam to go ahead with probe on rally
Panel can’t wait for IAP report on Bersih 3.0
KUALA LUMPUR: Suhakam will hold a public inquiry into the allegations of unnecessary use of force by the police during the Bersih 3.0 gathering on April 28.
“This decision takes into account our own monitoring of the event,” said Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam in a statement yesterday.
He said the decision was also based on the various complaints and memoranda Suhakam had received calling for an independent inquiry into the said event.
“Suhakam had wanted to but can no longer await the release of the terms of reference of the Independent Advisory Panel established by the Government as they have yet to be finalised.
“Notwithstanding the investigations to be conducted by the said panel, Suhakam is obliged to carry out its own public inquiry pursuant to its mandate as provided under the Suhakam Act,” he said.
Hasmy said vice-chairman Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee would head the inquiry panel, assisted by fellow commissioners Prof Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid and Detta Samen.
Meanwhile, the “Bersih 4.0 — Cleaning up Bersih 1,2, and 3” demonstration scheduled for Thursday and Friday is set to happen.
Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Action Council members were seen painting numbers for the allocation of stalls along Bersih co-chairman Datuk S. Ambiga’s house in Bukit Damansara yesterday.
Chairman of the council Datuk Jamal Yunus said the funds collected from the auction will be used to recoup their losses during the Bersih 3.0 rally last month, starting with a “unit” situated in front of Ambiga’s house, going for RM2,000.
Ambiga tweeted “This painted just now in front of my house. Still no offence?” as well as a picture of the vandalised section in front of her house stating “RM2000 Bersih 4.0”, yesterday at 3.47pm.
Sixty traders will operate their stalls selling household goods, food and drinks from 3.30pm to 8pm, and plan to conduct business everyday. This is the third demonstration to be held in front of Ambiga’s house after the “burger protest” staged by traders giving out free burgers on May 10 and the “butt exercise” performed by a group of army veterans on May 15.