THE father of deceased firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim told the coroner’s court today that he wants justice for his son.

He also urged the court to pin down those responsible for the riots and take action against them.

Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid, 63, said he hoped that justice for his son will be served and that the offender or offenders are brought to justice.

“I want justice and fairness for the death of my son.

“I understand that he died in the riots (at the Seafield temple). I want the authorities to take action against the planners of the riots,” he told coroner Rofiah Mohamad.

Kassim, the 23rd witness in the inquest into Adib’s death, remained calm and composed as he addressed the court, and also thanked it for conducting the inquest swiftly.

During his testimony, Kassim said he had felt bumps and bruises on the back of Adib’s head when he visited his son at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) after the incident at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in November last year.

“His initial condition was bad. He was unconscious, covered in bruises and obviously in a critical state.

“I could see there were bruises on his chest, arms, calves, scratches on his fingers, and felt swelling in several places on his head, with a wound behind his earlobe,” he said.

“I could only feel it (bumps and bruises) because I could not see the back of his head as he was lying down and unconscious.”

Kassim then told the court that when Adib was warded at the intensive care unit of the National Heart Institute where he was later transferred, there was a period of five days when the firefighter appeared lucid and seemed to be on the track to recovery.

“That was when he was doing his physiotherapy and could get out of bed, with help. This was also the time when I saw the bumps and bruises on the back of his head,” he said.

Kassim also corroborated testimony by Adib’s doctors and nurses about his state of consciousness during those five days.

“I was with him every day at both hospitals (SJMC and IJN). There was a period of five days when he appeared on the road to recovery.”

He said he and his wife had been encouraged by his recovery and were confident he would show more signs of improvement.

“We were able to communicate as he could write on a whiteboard and nod to us when we asked him questions during these five days.

“Several other firemen (colleagues) also came to visit Adib, but most of them remained outside the treatment room and viewed him through a glass window,” he said.

Kassim also told the court that he was asked permission by Adib’s superior, Subang Jaya fire station chief Syed Shahril Anuar Syed Sulaiman, to ask Adib a few questions about the night Adib suffered his injuries.

Adib had then indicated to Syed Shahril twice that he had been pulled and beaten.

“He had asked for my permission, saying he was going to ask Adib only ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions,” said Kassim.

He added that he himself had never asked Adib about the night of the riot as he and his wife did not want to place undue stress on their son.

Kassim also told the court that Adib’s death had left a void in and was a great loss for his family.

“Adib always helped; he was always helping at home, even with the finances,” he said.

He described Adib as quiet, and said he always listened to advice from his elders.

Adib died on December 17, last year, at IJN of multiple organ failure.

Today was the 15th day of the inquest. It continues tomorrow. – March 21, 2019.