High Court dismisses trader's suit against IGP

The High Court Wednesday dismissed a RM2 million lawsuit filed by a trader against the inspector-general of police (IGP) and three others for injuring him during a rally organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) eight years ago.

Judicial Commissioner Azizul Azmi Adnan dismissed the lawsuit filed by Aleyasak @ Hassan Hamid, 39, the plaintiff, without costs.

Aleyasak in his suit claimed that he was attacked from behind by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU).

In his judgment, Azizul Azmi said the plaintiff was honest in his statement but what might have happened was that the plaintiff was attacked by other policemen whom he thought were from the FRU.

He said Aleyasak also could not identify the policemen who had attacked him.

Azizul said, according to the statement by the FRU field commanding officer, Nasaruddin Zahari, there were other police forces present including the Light Strike Force (LSF) troop who were on duty at Dataran Merdeka during the rally.

"Nasaruddin also testified on the uniforms and equipment, namely field attire, armour and helmets, which were similar to the FRU's, the only difference was that the FRU had numbered helmets. As such, the public might not be able to distinguish between the FRU and LSF," he said.

On Aug 17, 2010, Aleyasak filed a lawsuit claiming RM1 million for general damages, another RM1 million for aggravated and exemplary damages, and special damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

In addition to the IGP, the plaintiff also named Kuala Lumpur police chief, Dang Wangi police chief and the Malaysian government as defendants.

In his statement of claim, on Nov 10, 2007, Aleyasak said that FRU members stomped and kicked him repeatedly in the knee and right flank,causing him to suffer a broken left foot, cuts, bruises and swelling in the left knee when he was at the Bersih rally in Jalan Tun Perak, near Dataran Merdeka.