Chapter 2 - Report of the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group
Hanafi Hawari immediately after
his arrest
(ii)
Injuries suffered by Fayyadh Afiq
Albakqry
The findings
After careful consideration, the Panel was of the opinion that these injuries were suffered
in the course of arrest or during the assembly.
The Panel also considered the injuries suffered by Muhammad Sabu during his arrest.
While there was no direct evidence that the police effecting the arrest had caused the injury,
the Panel nonetheless noted that the method used should have been commensurate with
or proportional to the level of risk at the time.
While the Panel is fully cognizant of the duty of the police force to safeguard security, it
said that police personnel should also take into consideration the rights of individuals.
The police should ensure that those arrested are able to exercise the rights stipulated in
the Federal Constitution and other laws. As the witnesses had described varying degrees
of injury sustained during their arrest, the Panel said the police should make it a matter
of practice to see that medical treatment is available to those who need it. Officers or
personnel, after making an objective evaluation that the injuries require medical attention,
must ensure that such assistance is rendered immediately.
(d) Incidents Outside Tung Shin Hospital (TSH) and Chinese Maternity Hospital
(i)
The testimony
The Panel examined allegations that chemical-laced water and tear gas had been launched
at participants seeking refuge in the compound of the two hospitals. Witnesses included
a representative of the ‘Internal Inquiry of the Ministry of Health Malaysia – The Alleged
Shooting of Tear Gas and Water Cannon Incident at Tung Shin Hospital, Kuala Lumpur’;
members of the police force and hospital personnel.
The Officer-in-Charge and crew of a water cannon truck admitted that water fired from the
vehicle had sprayed the compound of TSH, but claimed this was accidental due to several
factors:
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