Bersih protesters had no chance to disperse, says Suhakam panel chief

By Hafidz Baharom

September 21, 2012

Khaw (with raised blue file) and other members of the Suhakam panel visit Dataran Merdeka on September 21, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) panel chief today said that “there was not much room to run” for protesters during the Bersih rally on April 28, disputing earlier police testimony of having enough roads open for participants to disperse.

Prof Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee told reporters after the panel made an on-site visit that the exits assigned by the police to allow people to disperse were further away, leaving only two narrow lanes nearby.

“Police said there were a lot of areas where protesters could have dispersed and we were looking for that.

“We only saw two; small lane near Citin Hotel and Masjid India Jalan Tun Perak. There was not much room to run,” Khaw said.

The three-hour walking site visit began at Dataran Merdeka and included visits to the alleged holding area in front of the Royal Selangor Club, Citin Hotel in Jalan Melayu, and Jalan Hang Lekiu, three locations where witnesses have testified of police brutality on the day of the rally.

The inquiry resumes next Monday with further testimony from the police.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bersih-protesters-had-no-chance-ro-disperse-says-suhakam-panel-chief/