Adib's father says he couldn't bring himself to ask son about injuries

INQUEST | The father of the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim said today that he could not bring himself to ask his son about the injuries sustained during the Seafield temple riots last November. 

Part-time worker Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid told the Coroner's Court in Shah Alam that this was because of the severity of Adib's injuries.

"I did not ask because my son was in trauma, and I did not want to trouble him.

"I did not want our son, who was in a critical state, to face these questions," he told the inquest into the firefighter's death.

Kassim said that when he first saw his son at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre on the night of Nov 27, the firefighter was grievously injured.

"My son was unconscious, with terrible bruises. He was in trauma and in a critical state," he said. "I saw my son's whole body. My wife and several others treated him."

Describing Adib's injuries as acute, Kassim said the firefighter's body was swollen (bengkak) and scattered with wounds – especially on his right side, chest, rib cage and hands. 

"When I touched the back of his head, I felt bumps there. His right hand had a swelling the size of a finger. There were wounds (on the hand), and the fingers had scratch marks."

'He wanted to go home'

When Adib was transferred to the National Heart Institute (IJN), Kassim said, his health improved in the first five days.

Kassim noted that Adib communicated with him using a whiteboard, and asked about his mother, his siblings and house expenses. He also wrote that he wanted to balik kampung (go back to their home village).

"However, I told him that it is better not to balik kampung, because the IJN doctors are the best (at treating injuries)," he said. "Then he finally accepted."

From the witness stand, Kassim reiterated his wish for those responsible for his son's death to be brought to justice.

“I demand that the authorities take action against those responsible for the death of my son.

"I was made to understand that my son died due to a riot. I want action to be taken against those who planned or were involved in the riot.

"The authorities must come down on anyone linked to the riot that resulted in this tragedy."

The inquest continues into its 16th day tomorrow before coroner Rofiah Mohamad. - Mkini