Chapter 2 - Report of the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group 8. Medical assistance must be administered immediately to individuals who are injured in the course of being arrested. Medical personnel must be present at all times to evaluate and dispense medical assistance on the spot. (d) Recommendations for Police on Handling of Media Coverage The Panel expressed its belief that the police force has extensive experience in managing and controlling crowds even in situations involving a large number of people. In this regard, the Panel commended the police force for the manner in which it had handled the ‘KL 112’ Assembly on 12 January. 1. The police should conduct briefings and training for its personnel in managing and facilitating the work of media personnel during an assembly. Both parties should acknowledge their roles in the public and national interest, while maintaining respect for each other. 2. Communication or briefings may assist the police and the media to understand and appreciate their respective roles and duties during the assembly. The Panel also noted that section 24 of the PAA2 suggests that the authorities have a duty to provide reasonable access to the media to the place of assembly, and so should not hamper media practitioners from carrying out their duties. 3. The Panel made reference to the OSCE’s Special Report on the Handling of the Media3 which contains guidelines, among others, on how the authorities should treat the media during assemblies, as well as how the media should prepare itself to cover such events. The Panel expressed its belief that the police force has extensive experience in managing and controlling crowds even in situations involving a large number of people. In this regard, the Panel commended the police force for the manner in which it handled the ‘KL 112’ Assembly on 12 January. 3. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON DEATHS IN CUSTODY Media reports on a spike in deaths in police custody over an 11-day period (21 May-1 June) also highlighted allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detainees in police lock-ups. These were levelled by family-members of some of the deceased and by NGOs. Home Minister, YB Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, then informed the Dewan Rakyat4 that 231 custodial death cases had been recorded between 2000 and May 2013 (Table 10), but that only two were caused by the police. 2 3 4 66 Section 24 of the PAA 2012 states: ‘Any media representative may have reasonable access to a place of assembly and use any equipment to report on the assembly.’ The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)’s ‘Special Report: Handling of the Media during Political Demonstrations (Observations and Recommendations)’ Dewan Rakyat, Parlimen Ketiga Belas, Penggal Pertama, Mesyuarat Pertama, Bil 3, Rabu, 26 Jun 2013