KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) which is holding a public inquiry into the arrest of five lawyers of the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre has directed the police officers concerned to provide written statements within seven days.
The inquiry, chaired by Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and assisted by commissioners Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, unanimously made the decision after hearing submissions from counsel M. Puravalen, who represented the lawyers and counsel for the police force Supt R. Munusamy.
Muhammad Shafee said the statements would be taken by Suhakam officers before Sept 19 and would all be recorded.
“Section 14 (1) (a) grants Suhakam with the power to record statements of witnesses, whether they are civilians or police officers,” he said.
In a previous hearing, the inquiry was told the police officers involved refused to give written statements.
The lawyers, Puspawati Rosman, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Murnie Hidayah Anuar, Ravinder Singh Dhalliwal and Syuhaini Safwan, were arrested on May 7.
Police in their submission had questioned the powers of Suhakam to direct them while counsel for the five lawyers said Suhakam had the power to take statements, written or oral, and examine all witnesses.
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