20. Batu Buruk Shooting

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has initiated a public inquiry into the discharge of firearms by the police which injured two people during a demonstration in Batu Buruk, Terengganu, on Sept 8.

The inquiry will look into whether there was justification for the police to fire several gunshots at the assembly, given the circumstances at that time.

Suhakam has appointed three commissioners to conduct the inquiry, headed by Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who will be assisted by Prof Datuk Khoo Kay Kim and Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah. More...


Bravo, Suhakam to initiate a probe of public importance. The public has a right to know why live shots were fired at an assembly by BERSIH. It is very often the police presence that leads to violence. The assembly members if left to themselves cannot initiate violence. Elementary... Dr Watson! It takes two to tango. The right to assembly is a basic human right and enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. Any law made in defiance of this basic human right should be made a nullity by the law courts. A police permit should be given as a matter of right for any peaceful assembly ... the necessity to obtain one being for the police to be informed of the details of the assembly i.e. where, when, why, etc. We are now in the new millennium, perched for a complete overhaul of our laws to ensure BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.