SUHAKAM Report of Public Inquiry into the Incidents During and After the Public Assembly of 28 April 2012 2 1.5 However, it was reported in the media3 that the police would allow the public to assemble at the 6 locations announced by BERSIH 2.0 on condition that no procession was permitted and no gatherings were to take place in Dataran Merdeka. The police then blocked several roads in the city and Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off with barricades and closedly guarded. Nevertheless, the assembly proceeded on 28 April 2012 and it was reported that several untoward incidents and alleged human rights violations took place especially after 3.00 pm. 1.6 It is noted that the BERSIH rally – ‘Duduk Bantah’ – was also held in other cities including Ipoh, Penang, Kuantan, Johor Bahru, Seremban, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri dan Sibu. It was also reported that similar rallies were held in 35 countries known as Global BERSIH in support of BERSIH 2.0’s call for electoral reform. All those rallies proceeded without any untoward incidents except the rally in Kuala Lumpur. 1.7 Subsequent to the rally, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (“the Commission”) received 16 complaints from members of public and a memorandum alleging human rights violations especially on the use of disproportionate or unwarranted force against the participants of the rally and members of media and urging the Commission to conduct a public inquiry. Pursuant thereto, on 3 May 2012, the Commission called upon members of public, media and the relevant authorities to submit information, documents and evidence for its investigation and consideration (see Annex 1). 1.8 Meanwhile, on 9 May 2012, the Government announced the formation of an Independent Panel headed by former Inspector-General of Police, Tun Mohammed Haniff Omar, to investigate into the incidents that occurred during the public assembly on 28 April 2012. 1.9 Although it had decided to await the release of the Independent Panel’s terms of reference before making any decision, the Commission announced on 21 May 2102 its decision to hold a public inquiry into the allegations of human rights violations during and after the public assembly of 28 April 2012 (see Annex 2). The Commission’s decision was made based on the reports of its monitoring team and after serious consideration of the complaints, reports and memorandum from members of public, human rights and professional groups and other members of society. 1.10 The Commission in the same statement above, invited the public, media and other organisations to come forward as witnesses by giving statements relating to any acts of infringement of human rights on 28 April 2012 that might assist the Commission in its Public Inquiry (see Annex 2). 3 Malaysian Insider, 27 April 2012