Malaysiakini
Jun 6, 2012
The home ministry has confirmed that it is withholding its video clip on the Bersih 3.0 rally violence, a move which have initially drew scorn from civil society.
In a press release today, the ministry said the video will not be released until after the ministry appointed panel investigate all the footages which they have been furnished with.
“The independent panel should be given adequate space and time to assess each video,” read the statement.
In addition, the ministry said it would acknowledge all views and advice from the panel, which will meet on Monday.
Previously, there were concerns that the ministry’s video would be a conflict of interest because the ministry had commissioned a panel – led by former police chief Hanif Omar – to probe alleged police violence during the rally.
Earlier, Chinese dailies reported that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had instructed his officers to withhold the video clip, which was slated for release on the ministry’s website today.
Video based on ‘facts’
Last Sunday, Hishammuddin said the purpose of making the video public was to enable people to get a proper perspective on events that occurred during the rally.
“With the video recording, the people can make their own judgment based on facts and not other considerations,” he said.
He also said the ministry is ready to face civil suits from those dissatisfied with the source of the video recording.
“This is part of our responsibility to give justice to the participants, police personnel and media people who were assaulted during the rally.”
He added that there is no reason for the ministry to hide the truth as shown by the video recording to be uploaded.
To counter the ministry’s video, the DAP today uploaded a 15-minute video on the rally that focuses on police brutality.
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has slammed Hishammuddin’s insistence on publishing the ministry’s video which he said is nothing more than a continuation of the vilification and demonisation campaign launched by the BN government against Bersih 3.0 and Pakatan Rakyat.