PKR accuses police of intentionally hurting Bersih, Pakatan leaders

Anwar lies in an ambulance, as his injured bodyguard sits beside him, yesterday. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Police officers deliberately ignored attempts at negotiation by Bersih and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders before firing tear gas canisters into the Kuala Lumpur Sentral pedestrian underpass yesterday, PKR has charged.

N Surendran, the party’s vice-president said that no warning or dispersal order was given by the police before firing the tear gas, and that Bersih supporters and PR leaders were trapped in the underpass.

He claimed that tear gas was fired horizontally towards the group, and that the actions of the police were in breach of local and international laws relating to police conduct.

“It was calculated to kill, maim and injure the peaceful marchers.

“In particular, the firing of tear gas into the confined space of the underpass was a criminal act, which can cause serious injury or death and is punishable under Section 326 of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement today.

Those trapped in the underpass included PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreevanesan, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS MP Khalid Samad and National Laureate A Samad Said.

The tear gas attacks injured Anwar, his bodyguard Fayadh and Khalid. Both Fayadh and Khalid sustained direct hits from tear gas canisters and were seriously injured. All three were hospitalised and warded later.

Surendran called for the investigation and prosecution of all senior officers, including Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, for “giving orders” to the police to carry out such an act.

“A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) must also be set up forthwith to inquire into the violent suppression of the rakyat’s fundamental right to freely assemble by the Barisan Nasional’s (BN) government,” the PKR leader added.