'CPR' went fatally wrong for Baharudin, police claim

Police has denied using brutal tactics on the only fatality of the July 9 rally, Baharudin Ahmad, saying the family's claims of fractured ribs could have been due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) applied on him.

Federal Public Order and Internal Security Department director Salleh Mat Rashid(left) also denied 59-year-old Baharudin's broken tooth was the result of police abuse.

"I have been informed of the claims of three fractured ribs and a broken tooth. A medical specialist suggests that the ribs could have been fractured as a result of CPR.

"As for the broken tooth, it could be due to the tubes being inserted into his mouth as medical officers tried to resuscitate him," he told a packed police conference yesterday.

Family members had submitted a memorandum to Suhakam with a copy to inspector-general of police Ismail Omar, claiming Baharudin had three fractured ribs and a broken tooth.

Police deny resorting to violence

Salleh said initial post mortem report revealed that Baharudin died as a result of a heart attack. Initial reports, he said had shown no bruises or cuts on the Baharudin.

However, he admitted that it was still inconclusive as police are waiting for laboratory analysis.

The top cop denied that police had assaulted Baharudin.

Salleh also showed images recorded via CCTV at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and Avenue K, located across the KLCC to show Baharudin had lifted his left hand touching his chest as he walked, suggesting he may have suffered cardiac arrest.

It also showed people rushing into Avenue K and using a diagram, Salleh pointed at LRT station entrance shutters starting to close.

"I can confirm that no tear gas was fired within the KLCC vicinity. So the claims that the tear gas fumes could have resulted in his death as claimed by certain quarter are also baseless," he said.

"Police investigations also showed the claims that ambulance arrived one hour later, were also wrong as records show they arrived at the scene 17 minutes after the call." - Malaysiakini