Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung (BN-Alor Star) explained that the police initially did not interfere with the scuffle between Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents and alleged thugs because they were waiting for back-up.

This was revealed during the Supplementary Supply Bill debate, as the deputy minister has received a complete report on the events of May 27.

mca new cabinet member 180308 chor chee heung The few police personnel present were managing traffic and were unable to act due to their numbers.

"They only managed to get the district police chief to send more enforcement to that area. By the time the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) and police officers showed up, the scuffle had already ended.

"All they could do was to issue warnings and told the crowd to disperse. In the confusion, residents were beaten up by unidentified thugs and they decided to use more force by using a car to knock police officers over."

Police probe all reports

On Tuesday, tensions reached fever pitch when BMC residents who attempted to tear down the barricade - which blocks off the toll-free access road - clashed with a group of men purportedly hired by Grand Saga to protect the barricade.

cheras mahkota fru assault on car sequence 280508 About five patrol vehicles were on standby, with a dozen of police personnel keeping a close watch on the residents. Residents have complained that the police failed to act when the clashes happened.

By about 10.10pm, six Federal Reserve Unit trucks along with about 100 riot police arrived at the scene.

At 11.30pm, curious onlooker Chang Jiun Haur was allegedly beaten by 20 riot squad (FRU) personnel armed with batons and kicked with boots. [Watch 5-min video]

Chor's report shows that a Proton Wira driven by three men and a woman allegedly tried to knock down several police officers. They were subsequently detained by the police.

"I believe in the confusion, many accusations have been made against the police and thugs. After that, residents were told to lodge police reports," he said.

He pointed out that the police are currently investigating into the nine police reports lodged of which none involved complaints against the police.

"Those who were said to have been beaten up by the police, I urge you all to come forward and lodge a police report," he said.

"The police are professional enough and I am confident that they can investigate properly into this. Don't just base all your accusations on Malaysiakini. "

One sided reports

"I can also say that Malaysiakini's report is incorrect. Don't just hear one side of the story. We have to hear the other side to know exactly what actually happened on May 27," he exclaimed.

bmc mahkota cheras court hearing 120508 teoh nie ching Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) then stood up to ask why did the FRU take three hours to reach the barricade area and how many police officers were actually injured. (The FRU base is only 5km away from the scene of the incident)

Chor replied: "As far as I know, you weren't there that day and neither was I. That's why I dare no speculate as to what actually happened."

"Based on the report given to me from the police, two police officers were hurt - one on the hand and one on the thigh from falling down after being knocked by the said car," he said.

"I did not receive any news or report about police using too much force but I assure you that the police will always act in accordance with the law," he summed up.