Xavier on claims that fireman was run over: Don't speculate, let police investigate

SUBANG JAYA: Malaysians have been advised to let police investigate reports that fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim was injured after he was hit by a fire engine and not beaten by rioters as reported.

"Don't speculate and let the police investigate," said Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar (pic).

He said the matter should be left to the police who are conducting a thorough investigation.

“In the meantime, I urge all temples, mosques and churches nationwide to pray for his recovery as well as for the recovery of others who were also hurt in the riots,” he said after visiting the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple at USJ 25, Subang Jaya on Wednesday (Nov 28).

He also added that the issue of the temple land is being looked at and a solution should be reached soon.

Muhammad Adib was severely injured after he was reportedly pulled from his emergency services vehicle and beaten during the rioting at the temple on Monday (Nov 24). 

However on Wednesday, temple taskforce secretary V. K. Regu said in a press conference that there are three videos circulating on social media that shows the fire engine reversing suddenly, with Muhammad Adib directly behind it.

"If you see the video, it shows the fireman being hit by the fire engine as it reversed and he was thrown against a fire rescue van that was behind the fire engine.

"The video also shows that the crowd did not hit the fireman, but actually tried to alert the fire engine to stop and brought the injured fireman to the hospital," Regu claimed.

He added that the temple taskforce has sent the videos to the authorities and urged the police to investigate what actually took place that night.