Report: Police acted unethically in dispersing July 9 protesters (Update)

The Sun Daily
by Husna Yusop

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 4, 2011): The Home Ministry today admitted that police had breached the standard operating procedures (SOP) and had acted unethically in the dispersal of demonstrators of the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9 at the Tung Shin Hospital.

Its secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said the Home Ministry will refer the personnel concerned, to the Royal Malaysian Police's disciplinary committee for its consideration and further action.

In a statement issued late today, Mahmood cited the Health Ministry's highest level internal investigation committee's report on the incident saying water cannon was sprayed by policemen towards the demonstrators who were gathering at the multi-level car park and the main entrance of Tung Shin Hospital.

"However, this action is merely intended to disperse the groups of protesters gathered there," Mahmood said.

It was also stated that tear gas was shot towards the Waz Lian premises by the police force, targetting at protesters who were gathering in a public car park outside Tung Shin.

"However, the claim that there was firing of tear gas into Tung Shin grounds is not true because it happened outside the hospital," Mahmood quoted the report.

Another incident was the throwing of smoke grenades by the police towards protesters gathering at the parking lot of the Chinese Maternity Hospital.

"With regards to the smoke grenade incident, the investigation found out it did not happen within the Tung Shin Hospital compounds but in the Chinese Maternity Hospital, which, in terms of administration, is separated from Tung Shin.

"The Chinese Maternity Hospital had ceased its operations since September 2006, as the whole premises was undergoing macro or major renovation starting December this year," Mahmood said.

"This decision clearly shows that the ministry views seriously the work ethics of each of its personnel and would not compromise in taking disciplinary action if it was proven the SOP has been violated by any of them," he said in a statement late today.