PUTRAJAYA: The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement filed a complaint today with the Independent Police Conduct Commission, alleging "police violence" during a demonstration outside Parliament on July 15.
The group deputy chairman, Kenneth Cheng, said they are also seeking compensation from Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for property damage incurred by members.
They are demanding RM2,606 to replace activist Liau Pin Chun's necklace and three placards that were damaged during the scuffle with police officers during the protest.
Cheng claimed that a policeman grabbed Liau by the collar, breaking her necklace and leaving red marks on her neck.
He also said several participants in the "walk for justice", including Lee Lan, the late Beng Hock's sister, were forcefully pushed to the ground by police officers.
However, no medical compensation is being sought as they believe the injuries sustained by the activists did not require hospital treatment.
"We have submitted our complaint to the IPCC regarding the police abuse cases. The complaint has been successfully received, and we hope the IPCC will follow up with further action.
"We hope they will execute their tasks as quickly as possible as we await the results of this investigation.
"The officers told us that the IPCC has received many complaints. But we also want immediate action to be taken, given the evidence we have submitted, both photographic and video," he told the media after submitting the complaint and compensation memorandum at the Home Ministry today.
He said the IPCC should take the complaint seriously and that further action must be taken regarding the violence demonstrated towards the activists.
"They have not verbally promised that any actions would be taken, but we want to emphasise that the entire formation of the IPCC is to independently investigate any form of police misconduct in an impartial manner.
"This is the time for the IPCC to prove itself, to independently investigate, and address the misconduct. The evidence we have produced is blatantly obvious," he said.
On July 15, the association and other supporters arrived at Parliament following a three-day 96km "walk for justice".
As the group approached the Parliament, police tried to prevent them from entering the complex, during which Lee Lan fell to the ground and was apparently hurt.
After a brief stand-off, the group was able to submit the memorandum but could not enter the building as originally planned.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later said he was aware of the incident and promised to meet Beng Hock's family soon and review their memorandum.
In 2009, Beng Hock, the former aide to then Selangor executive councilor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, hours after he had arrived for questioning on the 14th floor of the Selangor MACC headquarters.
A coroner's inquest in 2011 delivered an open verdict, and his family subsequently filed an appeal against the findings.
Three years later, the Court of Appeal set aside the open verdict and ruled that Beng Hock's death was caused by multiple injuries as a result of unlawful acts by unknown persons.