Fire Dept chief: No police around when firemen attacked

Fire and Rescue Department director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid recounted how his personnel were attacked near the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya this morning.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting Muhammad Adib Muhammad Kasim, the department's medical personnel, who is on life support at a private hospital.

Hamdan said a fire truck and an emergency response van had responded to a distress call about a fire.

He said there was no police personnel near them at the time, and the team had taken a back lane as it was the fastest route.

“When they stopped their vehicles and the front crew alighted, people came towards them and started attacking the vehicles. On the commander's instructions, they retreated,” he added.

Hamdan said the rioters then threw stones as well as attacked the vehicles with pieces of wood and steel rods, smashing the windows, side mirrors and doors.

The fire department chief said it was during this chaos that the 24-year-old Adib (photo) was dragged out of the vehicle and assaulted.

Hamdan said Muhammad Adib's partner, who did not realise that the victim was not in the vehicle, sped off in order to flee from the mob.

'It could have been planned'

“They did not leave him behind. They were in a 'kelam kabut' (confusing) situation. We predict that if they had stayed there longer, more could have been hurt.

“The crowd came suddenly, even when things had calmed down. This means it could have been planned, we are not sure," he added.

According to Hamdan, Adib's lungs are failing. He sustained injuries to his chest and abdomen.

“He has bruises all over, on his abdomen and chest. We suspect that is the cause for his fractured ribs which punctured his lungs and affected his intestines. He is still on life support,” he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, who was also at the hospital, said he was saddened by the incident.

He said the state government would be taking care of Adib's medical bills. - Mkini