Malaysian Police brutality far worse this time around in Bersih 3.0

K Pragalath | May 1, 2012

Bar Council chief, Lim Chee Wee, says the cops' use of excessive force and the sheer brutality displayed were far worse than last year, during the Bersih 2.0 rally.

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The police force failed to adhere to best international practices when handling the Bersih 3.0 rally on Saturday, said the Bar Council.

Council president Lim Chee Wee said that the use of excessive force and the sheer brutality of the police were far worse than last year, during the Bersih 2.0 rally.

“The police must exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence,” Lim said.

Lim referred to the five stages used by the New York Police Department which was also recommended by Suhakam.

They five stages are: verbal persuasion, unarmed physical force, force using non-lethal weapons, force using impact weapons, and deadly force.

Lim said this while presenting the Bar Council’s interim report on the rally. He added that the government should initiate a police transformation programme.

“Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar is sincere in wanting to do the right thing. There is no shame in admitting mistakes and wanting to improve,” Lim said.

The Bar Council deployed a 78-member team to monitor the rally. Among their findings are that the police fired tear gas directly at the crowd and were seen mocking the crowd.

Police video on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim needs further investigation

Bar Council vice-president Chris Leong, meanwhile, questioned the excessive use of force by the police.

“Did the police engage the organisers? Why did the police resort to tear gas and water cannons?” asked Leong.

While responding to questions from the press, Lim also brushed off former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s question on whether the Bar Council was a political entity.

“The word politics has been misused and abused. I go strictly on violation of human rights based on Suhakam and international practices,” Lim said.

When asked about the video allegedly showing Anwar gesturing to his deputy, Azmin Ali, to break the barricade, Lim said it needed further investigation.

“Even if there was a breach of the outer barrier, how do you justify the excessive use force?” asked Lim.