IGP denies cops disrespected outcome of Adib's inquest with new probe

Police have denied claims by family members of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim that it had disrespected the outcome of an inquest into his cause of death.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador (above) said this was as the decision of the Coroner's Court does not bound any party from looking for new evidence or findings.

"On the other hand, new evidence and findings will be able to decide whether the Coroner's Court decision can be fully supported and accepted.

"Only a hearing at the criminal court can determine a decision that is conclusive, holistic and of importance," he said in a statement.

"Therefore the police investigation team strongly denies claims of disrespect and issuing statements which contradicted the Coroner's Court decision.

"There were no misleading or false statements made during the press conference," he said in response to reports that Adib's (below) family was upset with his proposal last Friday for police to form a new task force and re-examine all aspects of the firefighter’s death.

Hamid noted that there was also a possibility that the outcome of further investigations will not be in line with the Coroner's Court ruling, particularly from the view that there was no clear statement that Adib was assaulted, injuries inconsistent with the alleged assault, and conflicting expert witness statements.

He pointed out that an inquest by a Coroner's Court, unlike a criminal trial that involved two opposing views, is held only to establish case facts through its witnesses.

Unlike in a criminal trial, Hamid noted there are also certain leeways granted for witnesses in an inquest, with no avenue to challenge their credibility through an impeachment proceeding.

Hamid added all facts presented during the press conference were based on the latest investigations and findings.

"It is not to contradict the inquest's ruling," he stressed.

Hamid said his update at the press conference was a reasonable move given its status as a public interest case, to avoid assumptions made based on hearsay.

The family had argued that rather than relook into the Coroner's Court decision of Adib's cause of death, police should move to identify and arrest his two or three unidentified alleged assailants.

Adib died at the National Heart Institute on Dec 17, 2018, after succumbing to injuries sustained during riots near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya about a month earlier. - Mkini