KUALA LUMPUR: A police inspector and a constable claimed at a public inquiry yesterday that the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) had to use force in the May 27 incident in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

This was because Chang Jiun Haur, 23, refused to cooperate with police and also kicked a police officer.

Inspector Muhammad Hasmizal Hassan, 28, said that as he approached Chang's Proton Wira, he told him to "please cooperate and get out of the car".

Hasmizal claimed that the engine was still running and Chang was jerking the car back and forth. At that point, two other passengers alighted.

He said that when someone opened the car door he grabbed Chang's shoulder but only managed to get his shirt. He then tried to grab Chang again but was kicked on his right leg.
At this point, FRU officers pushed Hasmizal out of the way and pulled Chang out of the car.

Hasmizal claimed that Chang's face hit the car door as he was pulled out and he then hit the pavement face down. He also claimed that he told his officers to "calm down and just hold".

Constable Ezez Johari, 23, said it was his opinion that "force was needed in the incident".



Ezez claimed that Chang was driving so fast that he had to jump on the barrier along Persiaran Mahkota Cheras as the car sped by.

He told the FRU officers to stop Chang's car. Ezez, who was the first to reach the car, said he asked Chang to get out but he refused to do so.

"Chang's window was down, so I reached in to grab his keys and open the car door," said Ezez, adding that Chang closed the door again and wound up his window.

That was when an FRU officer using a pump gun, smashed open Chang's window, said Ezez.





The inquiry, which was in its fourth day, was chaired by Suhakam commissioners Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman, Datuk Khalid Ibrahim and Datuk Dr Cheam Heng Keng.

It will determine if excessive force was used or human rights violated during the incident, and recommend action against those responsible, if so.



Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shakaruddin Che Mood told the inquiry that he told his personnel to take appropriate action against those who committed offences.

However, it was "clear" in his operations guidelines that no force was to be used.



The inquiry continues today.