Cops in cahoots with rowdy mob, alleges ABU

The Anything But Umno (ABU) movement suspects the police of being in cahoots with a rowdy mob which halted their ceramah in Shah Alam on Saturday.

ABU as well as the co-organisers Hindraf lodged a report on the incident at Dang Wangi district police headquarters today.

“It is to be taken into account that the police officer at the scene was seen chatting with a person from the group that attacked the participants.

 “If it is true they (the police) have to be held accountable,” said Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, who lodged the report on the behalf of movement.

“The residents in the area assisted us in identifying several people who were captured on video at the scene that day.

“According to them they are local Umno leaders who were watching everything.

“If it is true, Umno must be wholly responsible for the violence,” said Badrul, who is better known by the moniker Chegubard.

He told reporters that they have submitted photos, CDs and video recording of the incident to the police.

The co-organisers will also lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) at 11am tomorrow.

The movement’s ceramah at Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) hall at Jalan Kebun was disrupted by the mob even before it commenced its session.

Scores of supporters

According to eye-witnesses’ accounts one participant was “badly injured” and had to be hospitalised after a scuffle.

The ceramah was called off to ensure safety of the participants.

Badrul was accompanied by ABU coordinator Haris Ibrahim, Hindraf national coordinator W Sambulingam and PSM secretary- general S Arutchelvan, as well as scores of supporters.

Arutchelvan said that they choose to report the incident at the Dang Wangi police station, instead of where it took place because they “have no confidence” in the cops in charge at the Shah Alam district.

“This is not new hence we aren’t surprised. Every time we organise an event there will be provocation by police, plainclothes or otherwise... but in return we are the ones who will be accused of disturbing them,” lamented Sambulingam.

“If the police were efficient this could have been avoided altogether,” added Arutchelvan.

Haris added that the person who was allegedly beaten up in the scuffle, Krishnan, 33, was still recovering from the trauma at the Sri Sentosa Specialist Centre.

As for allegations by a blogger that the assailants were engaged by ABU, Haris laughed off the claim.

“Let the police arrest them and let them tell we are behind it. Since their faces are in the video and photos.

“We also want to know... who among us have so much money to hire gangsters,” said Badrul.

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