‘Officers said post-mortem not necessary’
Cop: No witness saw Adib being attacked
SHAH ALAM: A senior investigating officer told the Coroner’s Court that some Fire Department officers informed him there is no need to conduct a post-mortem on the body of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
Asst Supt Lew Keng Joe of Subang Jaya district police headquarters said several officers told him this when he arrived at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Dec 17, 2018, after he learnt about the death of Muhammad Adib.
“I arrived at IJN at 10.30pm. On reaching the ICU area, some officers – their names I can’t remember – approached me to inform that a post-mortem was not necessary,” he said in reply to deputy public prosecutor Fatah Hadni Khairuddin on the 21st day of the inquest to determine the fireman’s death.
ASP Lew testified that the officers told him this as IJN senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Datuk Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib could confirm the cause of Muhammad Adib’s death.
He then contacted Subang Jaya district police chief Asst Comm Mohammad Azlin Sadari and a request was issued for a post-mortem to be carried out. He also said 12 suspects were arrested to assist the investigations into Muhammad Adib’s injuries during the riot at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya, on Nov 27.
ASP Lew said the first six arrests included a witness in the inquest, Nasaruddin Abdullah, who was at the scene.
The remaining six were individuals believed to have been involved in the rampage at the One City building, but they were rearrested to assist in investigations into Muhammad Adib’s case.
ASP Lew said 61 witnesses, including 21 civilians, gave their statements in relation to the case.
However, he said not a single witness saw the victim being beaten, kicked or hit.
ASP Lew said he visited the scene twice on Dec 1 and Dec 22.
Muhammad Adib, 24, was seriously injured during the riot.
He succumbed to his injuries on Dec 17 at the IJN.
The proceedings before Coroner Rofiah Mohamad continues tomorrow.