Chapter 2 - Report of the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group It was reported in the media that the Home Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall had offered alternative venues – such as Stadium Merdeka, Titiwangsa Stadium and Bukit Jalil Stadium – but the organiser had rejected this on the ground that they had been left with too little time to make changes. It was also reported that the police would allow the public to meet at the six assembly points selected by Bersih 2.0, on condition that processions were not held. The police then blocked several roads in the city centre and cordoned off Dataran Merdeka with barricades. The location was also closedly guarded. Nevertheless, the assembly proceeded on 28 April. After the event, several parties parties urged the Commission to hold a Public Inquiry into allegations of human rights violations during and after the assembly. At this juncture, the Home Ministry was setting up the ’Independent Panel of Inquiry on Bersih 3.0’4 headed by Tun Hanif Omar. The Commission decided to look at the terms of reference of that panel before deciding whether or not to hold its Public Inquiry. The Independent Panel, however, did not announce its terms of reference for some time. In the interim, the Commission received a number of complaints and memoranda on alleged human rights violations. Based on reports by the Commission’s monitoring teams and the complaints lodged, the Commission announced on 21 May that it would hold a Public Inquiry into Incidents During and After the 28 April 2012 Public Assembly. The Panel comprised Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee (Chairperson), Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Hj Ab Majid (Member) and Mr Detta Samen (Member). The terms of reference were: 1. To determine whether there were any violations of the human rights of any person or party during and after the public assembly; 2. If violations of human rights did occur, to determine: • • • How such violations came about What administrative directives and procedures or arrangements contributed to such violations Which person or agency was responsible for such violations; and 3. To recommend measures to ensure that such violations do not recur. 4 Bersih 3.0 refers to the ‘Duduk Bantah’ rally 69