FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: The special eight-member panel set-up in relation to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old schoolboy Aminulrasyid Amzah by the police would make its findings public.
Although it is not empowered to initiate its own probe, Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop, who is heading the panel, defended it as being “powerful”.
He said the panel, which includes former top cop Haniff Omar, has the right to check the investigation papers when it wants without approval of the police of Attorney-General's Chambers.
Speaking to reporters today, Abu Seman said the panel could also call up witnesses and review the police's standard operating procedure with regard to discharging firearms.
“We would summon civilian witnesses if necessary,” he said.
Last week, the deputy minister said the panel was not empowered to carry out its own investigation, but would monitor the investigation by the police.
Panel to visit scene of incident
The other panelist are lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Suhakam commissioner Denison Jayasooria, UiTM deputy vice-chancellor Prof Abdul Halim Sidek, crime analyst Kamal Affendi Hashim and Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) chief executive officer Dr Michael Yeoh.
Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Ahmad Fuad Aziz would serve as the number two man in the panel.
Meanwhile, Abu Seman said he met four police officers this morning, which included the Selangor CID chief and the case's investigating officer.
He added that the panel would also visit the scene of the incident in Section 11, Shah Alam, at 10pm.
Responding to a question, the deputy home minister said witnesses cannot be stopped from disclosing information to the media.
He was commenting on the deceased's friend Muhamad Azamuddin Omar, 15, holding a press conference yesterday, where the latter disputed the official version surrounding the death of Aminulrasyid.
The shooting had drawn widespread outrage, especially since civil society groups have long accused the police of being trigger happy.
However, the police claimed that it was an act of self-defence as Aminulrasyid had allegedly attempted to ram his car into the policemen.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, while the policemen involved have been reassigned to desk duties pending investigation.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has warned against any cover-up, and demanded that a thorough probe be carried out.
Musa Hassan: That's his version
In a related development, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said it is up to the Home Ministry to decide whether a Royal Commission should be set up to investigate the matter.
"It is up to the government whether to form a Royal Commission or not," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
On the press conference by witness Azamuddin, Musa said: "That's his version. He would have to tell the court."
Azamuddin's version was that the deceased did not attempt to mow down the policemen.
"When he was shot, he slumped on my lap, but his foot was on the accelerator and the car continued to move while the police kept firing,” he alleged.
Following this, he said the Proton Iswara crashed into a wall, but the policemen allegedly continued to pump it with bullets.
Azamuddin also claimed that he was assaulted by the policemen when he surrendered.
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