Adib inquest: Fireman's dad wants justice

SHAH ALAM: Father to fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim pleaded for justice over his son's death in the coroner's court.

Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid was the 23rd witness to the inquest into the death of the 24-year old fireman.

Mohd Kassim, who is a 64-year-old farmer from Alor Setar, told the coroner's court that Muhammad Adib was a good son, who helped his family financially and would always give a hand at the padi fields when he was home on leave.

"We (as a family) really feel the loss - in terms of happiness for the whole family, and in terms of the help he had always provided," Mohd Kassim said.

He said that his family wanted justice for Muhammad Adib, and that he hoped that the inquest could shine a light on who were responsible for the fireman's death.

"I hope the authorities will take action on those who caused his death.

"I understand that my child died due to a riot; and I hope (action is taken on) those who planned the riot and took part in it," he said.

"I want justice for my son. I hope the relevant parties will deal with my son's death with fairness and justice," he added.

Mohd Kassim, who was calm and collected throughout the whole session, recalled his son's days in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the National Heart Institute (IJN), adding that his son was fully conscious and lucid for about five days.

He said this under questioning from DPP Hamdan Hamzah from the Attorney General's Chambers, who asked him to describe the communication he had with Muhammad Adib when the fireman was in IJN.

Hamdan: When the deceased was able to write on a whiteboard, did you understand each other?

Mohd Kassim: Yes, he would understand that I was asking a question and he would give an answer.

Hamdan: What were among the topics you spoke about?

Mohd Kassim: When he was able to write, he wrote to my wife, "do you have money to spend?", and he asked about his siblings.

Mohd Kassim answered the same when asked by lawyer Ahmad Taufiq Baharum, who is representing him and his family for the inquest.

Ahmad Taufiq: Can you confirm whether he was acting normal, or was he in a traumatised state or heavily on medication?

Mohd Kassim: He was acting normal, because you can see when you ask him questions, he will answer based on what we asked.

He also asked questions, such as "how are you mum?" and "do you have money to spend?"

Mohd Kassim added it was during this period that Muhammad Adib was able to communicate.

He said Muhammad Adib was conscious of his surroundings, and was aware that Subang Jaya Fire Station chief Syed Shahril Anuar Syed Sulaiman came to visit the fireman.

Syed Shahril, the 18th witness for the inquest, had told the coroner's court that Muhammad Adib had indicated to him that he was pulled out from the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van during the riot near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in the early morning of Nov 27 last year.

Judge Rofiah Mohamad sits as coroner for the inquest.

The inquest, held at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, was on its 15th day on Thursday (March 21) and will continue on Friday (March 22).

Muhammad Adib became critically injured when he and his team members from the Subang Jaya fire station responded to an emergency at the temple.

He was taken to SJMC before being transferred to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for further treatment.

He died at IJN on Dec 17 at 9.41pm.