THE verdict on what had happened to fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim during the riots at Sri Maha Mariamamam temple in Subang Jaya, USJ 25, will be out today.

Coroner Rofiah Mohamad will reveal if Adib died from injuries sustained from an assault or an accident.

There were two possibilities on how Adib sustained the injuries – either bashed by a mob or hit by a reversing fire engine.

Adib, who was attached to the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department, died last year from injuries sustained during the riots on November 27 at the temple.

A day earlier, a group of at least 50 men armed with sticks, iron rods and parang, stormed the temple grounds. At the time of the incident, some 100 devotees had been guarding the temple.

The temple administration committee and the developer, One City Development, were in dispute over the plot of land on which the temple stood.

The developer’s lawyer was accused of paying 50 men to “take care of things” at the Hindu temple, but the move ended up triggering the riots. The developer denied the allegations.

The attackers also allegedly held some devotees hostage, beat them up and damaged parts of the temple. They were also accused of desecration by exposing themselves to the deities in the temple.

The incident went viral on social media and prompted thousands of people to descend on the temple to protect it, heightening fears of racial riots.

Adib died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on December 27 following which Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said an inquest will be held to determine the cause of the injuries.

The inquest began at the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court on February 11. The coroner heard the testimonies from 30 people comprising firemen, doctors, witnesses and forensic experts.

In the hearing, Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) cardiothoracic surgeon Dr S. Anand said Adib suffered injuries from blunt trauma to the chest and an assault was “less likely” as he did not have any other injury.

Another witness, Hospital Kuala Lumpur forensic expert Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi said Adib’s post-mortem indicated that his injuries did not come from any assault and were more likely caused by impact with a vehicle.

However, UK-based forensic expert Dr Shahrom Abd Wahid said it is possible Adib was forcibly pulled out from the emergency medical rescue services (EMRS) van he was in.

Adib’s family also filed committal proceedings against Attorney General Tommy Thomas for alleged contempt following his media statement and an affidavit filed by former conducting officer Hamdan Hamzah in April.

The media statement distributed on May 28 was in relation to the withdrawal of lawyer Syazlin Mansor from representing the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Fire and Rescue Department at the inquest.

In his affidavit, Hamdan stated that Adib’s injuries were not caused by rioters in front of Sri Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on November 27.

However, on July 27, Thomas in his affidavit said he did not meet Hamdan, and that all affidavits filed by the latter regarding Adib’s inquest were not under his direct instruction. – September 27, 2019.