FRU didn't respond to attack on trucks due to 'standby' order

INQUEST | The Federal Reserve Unit did not take action when two Fire and Rescue Department vehicles were attacked during the Seafield temple riots last November as they were ordered to remain on standby.

This was revealed today by Shuhaimi Yaakob, who led one of the FRU troops sent to the scene of the riots, at the inquest into the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.

As Shuhaimi told the Coroner's Court in Shah Alam today, the FRU was told to stand by for further orders when the Subang Jaya police were informed of the attacks on the vehicles in the early hours of Nov 27.

Shuhaimi, the inquest's 21st witness, said that he had seen two Fire Department vehicles reversing, and that he had discussed the matter with the other FRU troop leaders before trying to contact the district police chief.

"When we could not reach him (district police chief), we tried to reach the deputy. Later we received instruction to remain on standby," he said.

Shuhaimi explained that according to protocol, FRU troops are – as the name indicates – reserve units that need prior directives from district police chiefs or their deputies.

He said the FRU can only inform district police on what transpires at a given scene before awaiting further orders.

Lawyer Kamaruzaman A Wahab, acting for Adib's family, then asked Shuhaimi why the FRU did not take action, as they are tasked with controlling riots, and are armed with water cannons and gas launchers, among other equipment.

Shuhaimi replied that the FRU can only take action once the green light is received from district police.

Following protocol

His explanation did not sit well with lawyer Syazlin Mansor, also representing Adib's family, who asked why the FRU seemed so efficient during previous Bersih mass street rallies.

According to Shuhaimi, the FRU receives prior directives ahead of such planned gatherings. On the night of Nov 27, however, his team were only called to the scene as the riots were occurring.

Syazlin then asked if the FRU would also await further instruction if their own vehicles were attacked on the night of the riots.

"Even if our vehicles were to be attacked, we would first inform those above (in command) at the Subang Jaya police station.

"However, if we are attacked and our personnel are endangered, then we can take action against the attacker (without awaiting orders)," Shuhaimi replied.

From a distance

Hardeep Singh, the inquest's 22nd witness, then took to the stand to confirm that he recorded the four videos of the Fire Department vehicles being attacked by a mob.

The 29-year-old security supervisor said that he was with his friend, 20th witness Budd Mohsin, when he used his iPhone X to record a video of a group of people chasing the First Rescue Tender (FRT) lorry and Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) van as both vehicles reversed to escape the mob.

When questioned by Kamaruzaman on whether he had seen the firefighter that Mohsin previously testified was hit by the EMRS van, Hardeep replied in the negative, pointing out that he only recorded the incident from a distance.

"I never saw the victim. I was looking at the screen the whole time (while recording," he said.

The inquest before coroner Rofiah Mohamad continues into its 15th day tomorrow. - Mkini