SUHAKAM
Report of Public Inquiry into the Incidents During and
After the Public Assembly of 28 April 2012
14
3.11 As a result of the continuous rounds of water and tear gas, the participants
had no alternative but to scatter to avoid the effects of the water and tear gas.
However, due to the size of the crowd, movement was difficult and at the same
time, hampered by the lack of exit routes. It was at this time that many of the
participants fell and sustained minor injuries, while many spoke of difficulties in
breathing and stinging sensation in the eyes.
Testimonies from Injured Witnesses
3.12 Chong Min Shih (W4) testified that she was hit by a gas canister on the right side
of her neck, as a result of which she lost consciousness and fell, and had to be
assisted by her friends and other participants. (Exhibits 12 & 13 (a)). Asrul Wadi
bin Ahmad (W13) testified that his right eye was hit by a blunt object which he
believed to be a gas canister while he was standing outside Masjid Jamek. At
the hospital, he received 9 stitches on his injured eye and 2 stitches on his nose.
The injury caused him to see a black dot in his line of vision of his right eye. The
hospital confirmed that the injuries had rendered W13 to be permanently visually
impaired in his right eye. Upon further questioning, W13 who is a fresh graduate,
informed the Panel that as a result of his injuries, he had to forgo a potential career
opportunity, which required him to have perfect eyesight (Exhibit 33(a)-(c)).
3.13 Adrian Low Kok Swee (W7) stated that while waiting in front of the LRT Masjid
Jamek station at or around 5.00 pm, he was approached by a policeman who
said, ‘Hey I nak tahan you, sebab you pakai baju kuning,’19 and not resisting
arrest, he was taken towards Dataran Merdeka. On the way, he was attacked
and received punches and kicks from other police personnel, who also tore off
his yellow T-shirt. W7’s medical report reads ‘multiple bruises seen on chest, right
and left hypochondrium area’ and ‘multiple bruises at the back with shoe mark
imprint’. He also informed the Panel that he lost temporary vision in his right eye
due to the kick he received on his eyes. The witness also submitted to the Panel
photographs and a medical report of his injuries. (Exhibits 19-20(a)-(e)).
3.14 Leong Siew Meng (W11) testified that he was trying to leave the area via Jalan
Parlimen when he was chased by a group of police personnel and DBKL officers,
and was not allowed to use that route, and had to retreat to the DBKL building.
Upon reaching the building, he found himself in the midst of a crowd that was
trying to escape the tear gas. Subsequently, he was injured by a police personnel
in a scuffle, who allegedly snatched his gold necklace.
19
“Hey, I am going to arrest you, for wearing a yellow T-shirt.”