No witness statements allowed in inquest into fireman’s death

Fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s helmet rests on a shelf above his serial number 17476.

SHAH ALAM: The High Court today set aside the order by a coroner to compel the conducting officer to prepare statements for seven witnesses scheduled to take the stand in the inquest to determine the cause of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death.

Judge Ab Karim Ab Rahman said witness statements could not be used in an inquest as the procedure different from that of a criminal trial.

“This is not a criminal trial where someone is charged with an offence,” he said in allowing the government’s application to reverse the directive of coroner Rofiah Mohamad, made on Jan 18.

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