‘Cops have proof that elements wanted deaths’

(Malaysiakini) – Deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today backed Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s claim that there were elements during the Bersih 3.0 rally that wanted to cause deaths.

This, he said, was based on video evidence collected by the police during the rally.

“We have the video clip, there are indeed parties that wanted deaths to occur. I think it is not just the minister who is saying this but we (police) have evidence,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The clip, he said, showed an individual making remarks about deaths during the protest on April 28.

“We have a clip recording of someone saying that even if five people died it wouldn’t matter,” he said.

He added that the media was welcome to obtain the clip from the police which can identify the said individual.

However, Khalid added that no action has been taken against the individual yet as merely uttering words was not an offence under the law.

Meanwhile, Khalid said thus far some 21 individuals on the police’s wanted list have either surrendered themselves or have been arrested in relation to the Bersih 3.0 protest.

“We are giving them until tomorrow (to surrender themselves), we have already identified them.

“There is no need for a warrant of arrest because rioting is a crime where we can detain without a warrant,” he said.

He added that to date, the police have received 612 police reports concerning the Bersih 3.0 protest.