The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) may hold a public inquiry into allegations of police brutality during the Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah fracas, during which 27 people were arrested for impeding the demolition of a squatter settlement.

suhakam suaram memo kpg plentong 241008 01 Commissioner Khalid Ibrahim said this after accepting a memorandum from Nyam Kee Han and Tah Moon Hui, coordinators of human rights NGO Suaram, at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Khalid said a preliminary check would be made and that a public inquiry will be conducted if there is a consensus among the 16 commissioners.

“This will be discussed (internally) at the next meeting on Oct 29,” he said.

On Oct 14, developer Bukit Lenang Sdn Bhd had obtained a court order to demolish the village and attempted to execute it two days later.

kampung baru plentong tengah johor bahru protest 161008 01 However, protestors and villagers formed a human barricade to block access to the village of 2,400 settlers. Among those arrested was a PAS leader.

Suaram’s memorandum claimed that the developer was wrong to execute the order while the villagers’ appeal was still pending in the Johor Bahru High Court - hearing will resume on Oct 29.

The developer’s choice to exercise power from the Oct 14 court order without considering the appeal was tantamount to contempt of court, the memorandum stated.

“In these circumstances, we think that the demolition exercise and forced evacuation on Oct 16, should be considered contempt of court,” said Nyam, who said he could attest to ‘police brutality’ during the incident.

kampung baru plentong tengah johor bahru protest 161008 02 The police force deployed 533 police officers from various units including the Federal Reserve Unit, air police unit, marine police unit, canine unit and bomb specialist unit against 200 unarmed civilians, according to the memorandum.

“That morning, the police asked the crowd to disperse within 10 minutes, but started arresting people barely after one minute. Many including me were dragged, pulled and pushed by the police,” alleged Nyam.

“I suffered injury to both hands and my shirt was torn. Many civilians were also injured and (some) even lost consciousness.”

Those arrested were taken to the Johor Jaya police station for their statements to be recorded, although their lawyers were not present.

“We were not even told what we were arrested for,” Nyam claimed.

Incomplete information

In a related development, Suhakam is looking into the arrest of Suaram activist Cheng Lee Whei under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly spreading false information on police abuse of power during the incident.

suhakam suaram memo kpg plentong 241008 cheng lee whee She had commented on the police website that “the police have abused their power” in their handling of the Kampung Plentong fracas.

However, Khalid noted: “But I do not see anything seditious in it because she just said that they were abusing their power. She did not (add) any religious or racial sentiments, as far as I understand.”

He said the commission will write to Johor Jaya police to seek an explanation for the arrest.

Cheng, 26, also revealed that she has been told to appear at ‘the Magistrate’s Court’ on Nov 1 (which falls on a Saturday), without the location being specified.

“Besides, Magistrate’s Courts do no not operate on Saturdays. So far, I have not received any warrant from them. This clearly shows that they have acted in bad faith over this,” she said.

A programmer, she was arrested on Oct 17 and released after 19 hours. She was detained under Section 28 of the ISA which covers dissemination of false information.

However, the clause does not empower the police to detain a suspect without trial. The person must be produced in court within 24 hours to be charged or remanded for further investigation.