Lawyer: Cops were shooting fish in a barrel

Police fired tear gas at a group of protesters who were trapped during the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, Malaysian Bar vice-president Christopher Leong Sau Foo has testified.

Addressing the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) public inquiry into alleged human rights violations, Leong said the police had done so despite knowing that the protesters had no way of dispersing.

He said the incident took place at Jalan Melayu, a narrow and busy area behind an LRT station, about 3pm. It is used by petty traders.

Leong, who had been observing the rally on behalf of the Malaysian Bar, said another group of demonstrators had approached from the opposite direction, trapping those who were trying to flee from the tear gas.

"About 3pm, I saw smoke and then I realised that it was tear gas. After a few minutes, as the fumes got close, we decided to withdraw from the area.

"As I turned around, I saw the police approaching the protesters and firing tear gas right in the middle of the crowd. At the time, I was standing in the middle. Two tear gas cannisters fell.

"We couldn't leave quickly. At one point, we couldn't move at all. It was impossible to back away." 

Leong said his team comprised four other lawyers and a photographer. 

[More to follow]