THE coroner’s court today ruled that the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim was the result of a criminal act. 

Coroner Rofiah Mohamad said the blunt force trauma to his chest was not caused by an accident but by two or three persons who had dragged him out of the emergency medical rescue service vehicle.

“I am also of the view that the police and the Federal Reserve Unit had failed to control the riots and had contributed to Adib’s death,” she said at the Shah Alam High Court.

She said based on the court’s findings, she is ordering the inspector-general of police and the attorney-general to conduct further investigation into the case

“They may proceed with prosecution if necessary.”

Rofiah said her judgment was based on the opinion of UK-based forensic expert Dr Shahrom Abd Wahid who had said it was possible that Adib was forcibly dragged out of the van he was in. 

The coroner rejected the conclusions of Hospital Kuala Lumpur forensic expert Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi that the post-mortem had indicated that his injuries were unlikely to be due to assault but to his collision with the EMRS van door.

“I rejected the theory (Dr Ahmad) that he had exited the van and was hit by the door (causing the blunt force trauma). 

“The theory that he was pulled out is more logical. The van was also attacked, the windows smashed and there were helmets found in the vehicle.”

Dr Shahrom had told the inquest that Adib’s broken ribs could have been caused by the door being kicked in and hitting him in the chest.. 

Rofiah said that she took into account the testimony of a witness who said Adib had been surrounded by a group of people. 

“The witness S. Suresh said he went into the circle and was shoved and fell on Adib. 

“He also said that there was a kick. During the commotion, Suresh said he heard a group shouting in Tamil: “Don’t hit, don’t hit.”

“This shows that he was hit, but that didn’t cause his death according to the forensic experts. It was blunt force trauma.”

Adib, who was attached to the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department, died last year of injuries sustained during a riot on November 27 at the Sri Maha Mariamamam temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya.

An inquest commenced at the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court on February 11. The coroner heard the testimonies of 30 people comprising firemen, doctors, eye witnesses and forensic experts. – September 27, 2019.