Silence of the Damned

This has been what Amnesty International said about the FRU's brutalities:

Amnesty International condemns the alleged excessive use of force by the police when dispersing a peaceful demonstration held at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre yesterday.

The right to freedom of assembly and peaceful protest is an intrinsic part of the right to freedom of expression. This right is guaranteed in Article 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. This action clearly illustrates the concerns that torture and ill treatment continues unabated in Malaysia, particularly by the police.

It also shows the lack of political will by the government to ensure that operational methods and practices by the police are in line with international standards as recommended by Suhakam and the Royal Commission of Inquiry. Amnesty International calls for a proper and full investigation into the incident.

my underlining

A case of the government keeping mum as its praetorian guards mowed down those who opposed Caesar - the Silence of the Damned (government)!

Businessman Amran Zuklifi said: "Then came the FRU - armed with shields and batons. They beat whoever came in their path. We had no chance to plea to them, we could only run."

"In the chaos, I lost my son. So I slowed down. The FRU came from behind me and they kept beating my back and head with their shields and batons."

From the beating, his head was bleeding and his black shirt turned red. "I felt dizzy but I continued to run from them."

A bit irresponsible of Amran to take his son along but his wounds have been the result of the FRU's crimes against humanity.

Lim Ban Teng had his right hand broken by a FRU police baton. He told Malaysiakini that the protestors had shouted "OK, OK, we disperse!" but the FRU had ignored the plea. The police were hellbent on bashing up the protestors.

Related: FRU Brutalities at Protest Rally

photo credits - Malaysiakini