In Q&A, Adib says he was pulled out of van and beaten up
SHAH ALAM: Firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim responded to 15 questions on what happened at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riot in Subang Jaya on Nov 27 following claims that he was beaten up by a mob during the incident.
Adib was asked the questions by Subang Jaya fire and rescue station head Syed Shahril Anuar Syed Sulaiman at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur, where Adib was warded before his death on Dec 17.
Syed Shahril, the 18th witness in the inquest into the cause of Adib’s death, told the Coroner’s Court yesterday that he asked Adib the questions on Dec 12.
“I interacted with Adib three times at IJN on Dec 5, 12 and 13.
“In the Dec 5 visit, I asked him, ‘were you beaten in the incident?’, to which he nodded.
“I then asked him, ‘were you pulled out of the EMRS (Emergency Medical Rescue Service) van?’ He nodded. Using his left hand, he gestured that he was pulled out of the vehicle by his shoulder,” he said, responding to deputy public prosecutor Hamdan Hamzah.
Syed Shahril said Adib’s response prompted him to prepare 15 questions to find out what transpired on Nov 27.
“At the time, there was speculation that Adib could have been struck by a vehicle and not assaulted by rioters. I prepared questions so that I could get answers from Adib.”
He said he visited Adib again on Dec 12 around noon.
He said Adib appeared to be in better condition and had just completed a physiotherapy session.
He said after obtaining permission from Adib’s parents, he and another firefighter asked Adib the questions.
The questions were in multiple choice, and Adib ticked the appropriate answer boxes.
The 15 questions were:
Question 1: Did rioters try to open the EMRS van’s door when the vehicle reversed?
Answer: Yes.
Question 2: Did you try to stop them from opening the door?
Answer: Yes. Question 3: Did they manage to open the door?
Answer: Yes.
Question 4: How did you feel when they tried to open the door? (The answers were scared, nervous, stressed or panicked.)
Answer: Stressed. Question 5: Were you pulled out of the EMRS van?
Answer: Yes.
Question 6: If you were pulled out of the vehicle, which part of you did they grab?
Answer: Shoulder.
Question 7: Did you fall down after you were pulled?
Answer: I don’t remember.
Question 8: Did you fall down while you were being pulled?
Answer: I don’t remember.
Question 9: When you were being assaulted, were you conscious?
Answer: I don’t remember. Question 10: Did they assault you with an object?
Answer: Yes. Question 11: If they used an object, did you see what it was? Answer: No.
Question 12: What was the object used? (The answers were wood, rocks, metal or others.)
Answer: Others.
Question 13: Did you wake up at the scene or at the hospital?
Answer: Hospital. Question 14: Did you feel threatened during the situation? Answer: Yes.
Question 15: Did you try to defend yourself ?
Answer: I don’t remember.
Syed Shahril said he informed Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman about what Adib told him.
The inquest resumes today.