SUHAKAM Public Inquiry on "Bloody Sunday" - Day 7

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

Today is the 7^th day of the inquiry. The inquiry will continue on the following days:

October 18

Today’s witnesses:

1. Sergeant Mohd Yacob Mohd Saman (W35)
2. Dr. Abdul Fahmi bin Abdul Karim (W36)
3. Sergeant Abdul Aziz bin Buniran (W37)
4. ASP Anuar bin Jusoh (W38)

Doctor: Hit on Amran’s head could be fatal!

The public inquiry started at 1pm today. Four witnesses were called to testify in front of the inquiry panel.

35^th witness: He is Lance Corporal Mustika Lamonding

Sergeant Mohd Yacob Mohd Saman (hereinafter referred to as Yacob) is the first witness of the day. He is the commander for Section 2 of the FRU unit which was present in KLCC on the day of the incident.

Yacob told the panel that his troop members were equipped with batons and shields on 28^th of May.

When still photos and video clip were shown to him, Yacob has positively identified a few FRU personnel who were seen using violence against the protestors. He identified Mustika Lamonding who was seen hitting Lee Huat Seng (W8) in the video clip. According to Yacob, Mustika Lamonding is from his troop (section 2).

36^th witness: Potentially, it could be a fatal blow!

Dr. Abdul Fahmi bin Abdul Karim (hereinafter referred to as Dr. Fahmi) is a medical consultant in the private Pusrawi Hospital. He examined Amran Zulkifli (W25) on 29 May, one day after he was admitted to the hospital.

Dr. Fahmi observed some bruises (soft tissue injury) to Amran’s right shoulder and right arm. Amran also suffered from an injury on his right scalp temper parietal area, where a 5cm jagged laceration requiring wound toilet and suturing.

Dr. Fahmi told the panel that the wound on Amran’s scalp was caused by a blunt object, but it is not consistent to the butt of gas gun. He also testified that the force used on Amran could potentially be a fatal blow. According to Dr. Fahmi, the injury could result in greater harm if similar force were used on a lesser-built person.

37^th witness: The gas gun is only meant for shooting tear gas

Sergeant Abdul Aziz Buniran (hereinafter referred to as Aziz) is the 37^th witness of the public inquiry. He is the FRU commander of Section 3.

Aziz told the panel that members of his section were armed with rifle M-16 single shot and gas gun. They were also equipped with baton on their waist. Aziz informed the panel that the gas gun is only meant for shooting tear gas. He further emphasized that the instruction was only to shoot (tear gas).

The inquiry panel showed Aziz a still photo (Exhibit 16N), but he could not identify the FRU personnel who is seen holding a gas gun high, as if he was hitting or trying to hit someone on the ground. However, he provided a list of FRU personnel who were holding gas gun on 28 May.

Besides, Aziz has positively identified Constable Zamri Hussin as one of the FRU personnel who surrounded Zahir Hassan (W17) when he was on the ground.

38^th witness: It is not encouraged to fly a helicopter too low above the crowd

ASP Anuar bin Jusoh (hereinafter referred to as Anuar) is the last witness of the day. He was the commander of helicopter pilot on 28 May. He has 12 years experience of piloting. The model of helicopter that he piloted on that day is “Accuireull” (French).

Anuar said he received instructions from Dang Wangi 1, whom he assumed was the Dang Wangi OCPD. Dang Wangi 1 instructed him to fly the helicopter low, to disrupt the speeches. According to Anuar, the lowest point he flew was lower than 500 metres. When he was asked on whether it was dangerous to fly low, Anuar conceded that it was tactically dangerous. However, he was confident to deal with it.

Commenting on the crowd’s complaints, Anuar opined that the crowd might be fearful because of the swaying trees and they are not used to helicopter. Anuar told the panel that he has no recommendation on how low the helicopter should fly. Nonetheless, he is of the opinion that flying the helicopter too low above the crowd is not encouraged.

The public inquiry will continue at 9am tomorrow (18 October).