SUHAKAM Report of Public Inquiry into the Incidents During and After the Public Assembly of 28 April 2012 8.20 The Panel commends the medical team both on the ground and in the hospitals who were on stand-by to assist those who needed medical attention and treatment. 8.21 The role of monitoring teams is important to observe any public assembly as independent parties and provide accounts of incidents that may occur. However, the Panel notes that the monitoring team from the Malaysia Bar was not recognised, which may have hampered in some way their monitoring activities. Recommendations 8.22 For the purpose of crowd management and facilitation of any public assembly, there must be co-ordination and co-operation among all the various parties involved. These include the police, the organiser, the hospitals and their medical teams, and the operators of public transport. It is recommended that prior to any public assembly, more so, where huge crowds are expected, there should be meetings among all the relevant parties to plan and co-ordinate events on the day in question to ensure the proper exercise of the freedom to assemble peaceably, the maintenance of public security and order, and the safety and convenience of all other parties. 8.23 The LRT personnel must be equipped with skills and safety gadgets in handling crowds especially in times of emergency. 8.24 The role of monitoring teams as independent observers must be given due recognition and they must be allowed to monitor the assembly without any difficulty or hindrances. 8.25 The PAA 2012 should be reviewed with regard to the presence, roles and functions of the monitoring team. ********* 87