Noodle seller Ho Chei Hang, who survived after being shot four times by policemen, wants action to be taken against the cops who he said discharged their firearms at him without justification.
Ho (right), 32, who was shot by plainclothes police officers near his home in Kepong Baru on Nov 16, said the police did not identify themselves, nor did they fire warning shots. "I want the police officers involved in shooting me to be identified and their details given to me, so that I can take legal action against them." "I also urge the officers involved be investigated for attempted murder and abuse of power without being protected or given special treatment," he said in a memorandum handed over to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) at the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today. Ho described how two unidentified Malay men suddenly yelled at him as he was driving away from a field near his house about 6pm, after meeting with a friend. Lost control of car after being shot
When he did not stop the car, the men shot at him. Injured, he lost control of his car and rammed into a nearby home. After the car stopped, he opened the door and stepped out, but fell into a monsoon drain that his car had run over. Weakened from his injuries, Ho climbed out to the roadside and was accosted by the two men, who were now joined by two others. Ho said his wallet, mobile phone, cash and other belongings were seized by the men who claimed to be from the police, all of which they are yet to return. He complained that he was left at the roadside, without being given any medical aid, and was forced to wait for the ambulance, despite the officers having their own transport. Lying by the side of the road and bleeding from his injuries, Ho said, he heard the officers talking about how they were expecting to intercept a white Honda Civic driven by a drug suspect who was potentially armed with a pistol. As his Honda Civic was black, Ho is puzzled as to why he was targeted. However, he said, it might have been a case of mistaken identity. "But that does not excuse the misuse of firearms and excessive use of force by the police," said Ho's lawyer Keppi Wong, who accompanied him today to file his complaint. Ho, who was warded for 11 days in the intensive care unit of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and was discharged on Monday, handed the memorandum to Suhakam vice-chairperson Khaw Lake Tee. Still weak from his injuries and unable to stand or walk, he was wheeled to the commission's office by family members. Of the four bullets that hit his back and shoulder, one is still lodged in his shoulder blade. Doctors have been unable to remove this remaining bullet, which is lodged too deep in his bone. Ho is also too weak to undergo another operation this soon. The noodle seller, who is currently out on police bail, operates several stalls in Kepong and Jinjang. He also complained that he was handcuffed to his bed in the hospital. He is also being investigated by police under section 307 of the Penal Code for attempting to murder the police officers who shot him. Six points The six-point memorandum calls on Suhakam to:
- Investigate and look into the abuse of power and improper use of firearms by police;
- Urge police investigation into the matter to be handled by Bukit Aman;
- Ensure that the identities of the officers involved be made known;
- Urge police to investigate the officers for attempted murder.
- Urge the government to implement a code of practice on the use of fireams by police; and
- Urge the government to form the IPCMC to handle public complaints against the police.
matter would be looked into by the commission. "Suhakam takes notice of the issues brought up by the victim, the concerns of his father and of Suaram. We will investigate the matter and take whatever action that is appropriate," she said. Other than his lawyer, Ho was accompanied to the Suhakam office by his wife, parents and Suaram's Rights to Justice coordinator Lucas Yap. Quizzed by Khaw on the family's next course of action, Wong replied that he was in the midst of receiving instructions from the family in pursuing legal action against the police force. Ho also lodged a police report over the incident yesterday.
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