Police assault complainant 'not being serious' says cops

Kuala Lumpur criminal investigation chief Ku Chin Wah has accused a Bersih 3.0 protester of lacking “seriousness” in cooperating with the police over the latter’s claim of brutality.

He was referring to Mohd Safuan Mamat who made a police report made on Tuesday after surrendering to police on the day before, alleging that the cops had beaten him to extract a confession.

"He claimed he was beaten by the police in a police station and he lodged a report in Petaling Jaya police station, but he refused to give further cooperation."

"If you lodge a report, but you refuse to give a statement, what is your intention?" said Ku when asked by reporters at a press conference in Travers police station yesterday.

Mohd Safuan, a 25-year-old technician, is one of the 141 Bersih 3.0 protesters sought by the police in investigations over violence during rally on April 28.

According to a news report by Free Malaysia Today, the police had previously called Mohd Safuan to record a statement, but he had refused to do so upon the advice of his lawyers.

Safuan's lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri said her client will only give his statement when they get an independent panel from Bukit Aman to look into the alleged police brutality.

"If you lodge a report and you are not serious, we know your intention," said Ku.

‘Boring question’

Ku, however, refused to reveal whether the police have made any new arrests after the one week ultimatum for the 141 protesters to come forward ended on Tuesday.

He also refused to answer whether the police have issued any warrants of arrest against those who have refused to come forward to assist in investigations.

"This is a boring question, go ask the KP (Kuala Lumpur police chief)," quipped Ku (left).

Safuan is the fifth protester charged after the April 28 rally for clean and fair elections.

He was charged on Monday under Section 440 of the Penal Code for allegedly attacking a patrol car, and Section 174 for "non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant".

He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on RM1,500 bail.

He later complained that while in custody, the police had struck his face and shoulder with a pipe after he had refused to confess.

He also claimed that the police had continued harass him while waiting to be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Court complex and had been forced to sign a document under duress.