TWO bystanders, who witnessed the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman last November, are today expected to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Muhammad Adib Kassim, now entering the fifth day.

None of the witnesses so far have said they saw Adib being beaten up or run over by a reversing fire truck – the two possibilities police were investigating – near the Seafield Sri Mariamman Temple on November 27.

Some told the Coroner’s Court they assumed Adib was beaten up and that in the chaos of the riots, there had been no communication between the firemen at the scene. Firemen who took the stand said they were warned by the mob not to douse the fire near the temple. 

Only one witness, a passer-by, said he saw Adib seated on the road shoulder clutching his chest before he was taken to the hospital. 

The inquest at the Shah Alam coroner’s court was ordered as there were no conclusive findings in the probe into how Adib was injured during riots in November. 

Adib was hospitalised for three weeks and despite regaining consciousness and showing signs of recovery at first, he died on December 17 due to lung failure.

The Malaysian Insight reports the proceedings live. – February 15, 2019.

1pm: The inquest ends and will resume on Monday. 

12.45pm: Naresh tells the coroner not everyone who rushed at the fire truck attacked the firemen. 

He says he saw a person smash the windscreen and others throwing bottles of mineral water.

“The group that went towards the truck said ‘Jangan pukul, itu bomba, halau mereka, jangan bagi mereka turun’ (Don’t beat, that’s the bomba, chase them away, don’t let them get down)”

DPP asks Naresh if he saw anyone else attack the truck. 

Naresh said he saw people trying to open the door and climb up the truck. 

12.20pm: The inquest continues with technical crew R. Naresh taking the stand.

He tells the coroner that he had gone to the temple as he was told by his friend that there was an issue at the place of worship.

“There were a lot of people around. We then went to the temple.

“When we exited we saw that there was police presence at the cement quarry next to the temple and a patrol car.”

11.40am: Suresh says he and his friends had gone to the hospital to check on Adib’s condition.

He says they were told by the doctor that his condition was serious and that they would have to wait and see.

“We were hoping to hear some good news, before we left at 4am.”

Adib’s family lawyer Kamaruzaman asks Suresh what happened after he was pushed and fell on Adib.

Suresh says he was kicked in the right shoulder.

The lawyer asks him how many times he was kicked, he replies once.

Suresh says he he believed the fireman had been unconscious when he fell on top of him.

11.15am: DPP asks Suresh why he had told his friend that a fireman had been beaten when he hadn’t seen it happen.

Suresh says he told Naresh that because he had heard the crowd screaming “don’t hit, don’t hit”. 

“I also heard someone say in Tamil that ‘fireman also they want to hit’.”

Suresh says he next saw about five or six people carry Adib away. 

DPP asks what the person they were carrying was wearing. 

Suresh says that his shoes and shirt were missing and he had only his pants on. 

10.50am: Suresh tells the coroner the group then started shoving the people around, and he fell.

He said he fell on the feet of the person leaning against the car.

“I then noticed that the person was wearing a fireman’s outfit.

Suresh then saw his friend Naresh who asked what had happened to him.

“I told Naresh that a firemen got beaten. And then he went to see what was happening.” 

10.35am: In the commotion, Suresh says, he heard a group of people shouting in Tamil, “Don’t hit, don’t hit”. 

He says there were 20 to 30 people screaming, “Don’t hit”.

“I went closer to see what was happening and I saw someone on the ground, leaning against a car bumper.

“I couldn’t see clearly as the place was dark.”

10.25am: While they were approaching the burning vehicle, Suresh says, the fire truck arrived at the scene.

Suresh says that he was facing the truck when it arrived and the siren was not on.

DPP asks if the flashing lights were on. Suresh says yes.

Suresh says a group of people started attacking the truck.

“Then there was a person who used a iron pole and struck the windscreen. Some were also jumping and trying to hit the truck.”

DPP asks Suresh if other people in the group were wielding sticks gr stones.

Suresh says he is not sure, he is unable to recall.

10.15am: Suresh recounts hearing an explosion and seeing a car on fire during the riots. 

He says after he was done praying, he and his friends heard a loud noise. 

“We then went outside and saw a car on fire. We were about five metres away form the burning vehicle.”

DPP asks Suresh what was the situation like at the temple. 

Suresh says there were not many people there.

“After praying we heard a loud explosion and then we saw a car on fire.

“We then headed towards the car.”

10am: Suresh tells the coroner that he went to the temple check out the situation and pray. 

DPP asks Suresh if he is a devotee and if he had been to the temple to pray before that. 

He replies no.

DPP asks Suresh if November 27 was his first visit to the temple. 

He says yes. 

9.45am: The inquest resumes with the eighth witness, contractor N. Suresh called to the stand.

DPP Zhafran Rahim Hamzah asks Suresh why did he go to the temple on November 27.

Suresh says he went there with seven other people after seeing a Facebook post of the incidents at the temple.

“I went there after seeing an FB post to show my support for the temple.”