From Malaysiakini:
Aleyasak Hamid Ali Hassan, a pisang goreng seller, offers incontrovertible proof that police had used excessive force in dispersing the Bersih rally for electoral reform in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.
“I just wanted to see - to observe - this rally that people had been talking about. I wasn’t wearing yellow that day, I was wearing black, and it never even crossed my mind to participate in the rally,” said Aleyasak, 31, who lives in Kajang, Selangor.
“I also never imagined I would end up with a knee smashed by those who are supposed to be protecting the people against violence.”
“A group of protestors near Masjid Jamek ran towards City Hall (in Jalan Raja Laut). I saw a number of police officers chasing then. They were all running towards where I happened to be standing.
“People were yelling ‘Run! Run!’ so I got scared and turned to run as well.”
Aleyasak did not get very far. After a few metres, he lost his footing on the slippery rain-washed pavement and fell face forward on the pedestrian walkway.
Seconds later, he was set upon by four to six uniformed police officers.
While several held his head to the ground, another officer stepped on Aleyasak’s left leg which had folded at the knee behind him.
“He was applying his weight on it. I heard my knee cracking, then, I head a ‘pop’ sound. I knew right away it was broken,” said Aleyasak.
Ordered to stand up, he told the police officers that his leg was broken. Instead of being carried, he was subjected to foul language and told to walk unaided towards a police truck waiting nearby.
He said: “I was told ‘Why should we carry you? Are you so special to receive that kind of treatment? You’re just a nuisance!’.
“One officer - I don’t remember any of the names or numbers on their uniforms - kicked my injured leg and it slammed against part of the truck. Another detainee already in the truck felt sorry for me and helped me to get into the vehicle.”
Following surgery on Monday, Aleyasak was told it would take three to six months for his knee to heal. However, he will have to wait a full year before doing any sports activities or exercises.
“I won’t be able to work for the next few months in my condition,” he said, appearing resigned to the situation.
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