I was beaten up while helping friend...

The student who was allegedly assaulted by police during the scuffle at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) yesterday morning claimed he was assisting a friend when he copped a blow on the lip.

Discharged from the Slim River Hospital today, Muhammad Safwan Anang (left), 23, said that he was assaulted while helping a friend who was being "dragged by the police".

"I was not fighting the police. I was helping a friend who was being dragged by the police," he said at a press conference today.

Appearing weak as his wife Masturah Abu Bakar brought him out on a wheelchair, the Universiti Malaya student claimed he was punched once in the face and then "walloped" and kneed in the ribs by police during the early morning fracas.

The Gerakan Menuntut Kebebasan Akademik (Bebas) chairperson, who was discharged upon doctor's instruction also complained of difficulty breathing.

Seeking further treatment elsewhere

He collapsed and started convulsing into fits during the melee. Footages of the incident show that he was bleeding from the mouth.

Other students had damaged the door of a nearby clinic in a frantic attempt to help him seek treatment. They later rushed him to the hospital upon advice of the clinic staff.

X-rays obtained by the Slim River Hospital found no broken ribs.

“I will be seeking further treatment in another hospital,” he said in a hushed voice when reporters caught up with him when he tried to leave the hospital.

Muhammad Safwan also confirmed that police had yesterday wanted him to sign a document stating that he had sustained injuries from a fall.

“Yes, that was the earliest interaction I had with police (since the incident). Four or five people claiming to be police came but did not show identification.

“They asked me to sign a form stating that I had fallen. I tore the document and did not sign it,” he said, adding that hospital authorities had allowed the men to take photographs of him.

He added that he will take legal action, and will lodge a police report on the incident soon.

Saya dipukul ketika bantu rakan

Mum-in-law proud of injured student

Family members of Muhammad Safwan Anang, who was allegedly assaulted by the police during a scuffle at UPSI early morning on New Year's day, said they are "proud" of his "brave" actions.

His mother-in-law, Mariam Abdul Rashid (right), 50, said the students’ actions should be an example for all varsity undergraduates.

"I am proud of his bravery. I am proud to have such a daughter and such a son-in-law, and I hope more varsity students will rise to defend (their rights)," she said when met at the hospital today.

Nevertheless, she expressed “sadness” over the violence which took place that night.

“We feel quite sad with what happened, which caused injuries. We regret the actions taken on these students, who should be given space to express their views,” she said.

Her daughter Masturah Abu Bakar had married the Gerakan Menuntut Kebebasan Akademik (Bebas) chairperson about a month ago.

'Safwan will fight on'

Mariam said she was ringing in the new year at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam when she heard what had happened.

“I got a call from my daughter and I rushed here,” she said.

She added that this incident would not diminish her son-in-law's fighting spirit.

“He will continue to rise for the cause,” she beamed.

Muhammad Safwan collapsed after sustaining injuries to his face and chest in the melee. He was recorded convulsing on the ground with his mouth bleeding, and claimed he was assaulted by police.

Police claimed that he sustained the injuries from a fall and that there was no such scuffle at Upsi.

17 students, including Upsi student activist Adam Adli Abdul Hamid who had caught flak for loweing a flag bearing the photograph of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, was arrested in the incident. Police had moved in on the students after they ignored their repeated calls to break up the sit in for academic freedom.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.