Ask relevant questions, witness tells officer at Adib inquest

INQUEST | A witness told the inquest into the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim today that he should be asked more relevant questions in relation to the Seafield temple riots last November.

As retired forensic pathology professor Dr Shahrom Abd Wahid told coroner Rofiah Mohamad, the line of questioning taken by inquest conducting officer Hamdan Hamzah was irrelevant.

This is because Hamdan's questions were mainly focused on the mechanism of the rib fractures sustained by Adib.

“I just wish to comment. The questions asked are not relevant, as it merely explains the mechanism of fracture (that Adib suffered).

“This (CT scan of Adib’s injuries by the National Heart Institute) is only from the postmortem. We want to explain the events that transpired that night.

“It would be better (if Hamdan had referred to) the CT scans from the Subang Jaya Medical Centre, as this would be closer in proximity to what happened that night.

“Instead, this one (IJN’s CT scans) exhibit (medical) interference,” he said on the 24th day of the inquest at the Coroner’s Court in Shah Alam. 

Shahrom, the inquest’s 29th witness, was referring to the 'interference' of Adib being transferred from SJMC, where he was first warded, to IJN for further treatment.

SJMC scans

The question from Hamzah (below) that prompted Shahrom's comment was on how Adib incurred fractures on four of his front right ribs, and two on the back, with reference to whether it matched the door jamb and edge of the front left passenger door of an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van.

On the night of Nov 27, Adib was sitting in the front left passenger seat of the EMRS van as it was arriving at the scene of the riots, as a crowd advanced towards both the van and a fire rescue tender (FRT) truck in front of it.

Yesterday, Shahrom testified that his own reconstruction of the incident showed that Adib was pulled out of the EMRS van's front left passenger seat as at least one other person kicked at the door, causing the victim to sustain fractured ribs on his left back and four front right ribs, among others.

Following the witness’ comment, Hamdan then referred Shahrom to several CT scans of Adib’s injuries that were provided by SJMC, and the continued his questioning.

'No need to visit riot scene'

Earlier today, Shahrom admitted that he did not go to the scene of the riots to examine the area, and relied fully on the initial findings and re-enactments made by the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department and the Chemistry Department, among others.

Hamdan had asked him whether it was important for an expert to visit the scene of the event in order to determine how Adib sustained his injuries.

“I made the decision not to go to the scene of the incident, because all the (relevant) information have been provided to me in the form of documentation and the reconstruction (of events) by (government) agencies.

“For example, when I examine the (possibility of Adib sustaining) injuries from the kerb, the pictures (from the CT scan and photographs of the firefighter’s injuries) are already there,” the pathologist said.

Shahrom said that his own reconstructions of the event were made on March 23, 25, 30, and April 6.

“I conducted all the reconstructions at the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department station, except for the helmet at the Rawang police station," he said, referring to a theory whereby a motorcycle helmet may have been used to hit one of the Fire Department vehicles at the scene.

Shahrom added that he also relied on videos from a CCTV camera at the scene of the riot, and by a smartphone used by one of the witnesses at the scene.

The inquest before coroner Rofiah continues tomorrow.

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