'Adib's uniform may have been washed before handed to police'

INQUEST | The uniform which firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim wore when he got injured in November last year may have been washed before it was handed over to the police, the Coroner's Court in Shah Alam heard today.

As the inquest into Adib's cause of death enters its 21st day, the court also heard from police senior investigating officer Lew Keng Joe that a group of firemen told him there was no need for a post-mortem on Adib's remains.

Lew testified before Coroner Rofiah Mohamad that he had requested for Kuala Lumpur Hospital pathologists to examine clothes worn by Adib during the Sri Mahamariamman Temple incident on Nov 27.

This, the officer said, was after he received the items from a Fire and Rescue Department officer identified as Mohd Zaikunor Affendi on Nov 30 and Dec 4.

The items were the top of firefighter camouflage-design uniform, an inner shirt, belt, firefighter camouflage bottom, and underwear.

Inquest conducting officer Faten Hadni Khairuddin: And then to whom these clothes were sent to for examination?

Lew: Before I sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis, I asked the HKL pathology unit to examine them at my office, on a date which I don't remember but it was before I sent ( it to the Chemistry Department).

Faten: What is the purpose (for asking HKL pathologists to examine the clothing items first)?

Lew: At that time, Dr Mohd Shah (National Forensics Institute director Mohd Shah Mahmood) and his team had conducted preliminary examination on the clothes. At that time, Dr Hafizam (HKL pathologist) and several experts were also there.

He informed me verbally that the pair of pants and underwear were consistent with injuries that Adib sustained on his knee.

Meanwhile, there was nothing on the uniform's top, and (he) told me that it may have been washed. There were no traces on the right side of the chest.

Faten: Did you see yourself the camouflage top and the inner shirt?

Lew: The same case with the inner, there was no traces (found).

The investigating officer attached to Subang Jaya police headquarters then proceeded to identify the clothing which was opened and showed to him by court interpreters.

'Subang Jaya OCPD ordered for post-mortem'

Earlier during the hearing, Lew (photo) told the coroner that he was approached by a group of firefighters that post-mortem was not needed on Adib's remains as IJN consultant surgeon Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib can confirm his cause of death.

He said this happened when he arrived at the hospital on the night Adib succumbed to his injuries on Dec 17.

Faten: Can you explain what happened when you arrived at IJN?

Lew: I arrived at IJN around 10.30pm. After I came to the front of the intensive care unit, I was approached by several fire department officers, whom I could not remember (their names) as they were not wearing their uniforms.

They told me that there was no need for a post-mortem and that Dr Ezani can confirm the cause of death.

Following this, I called the Subang Jaya district police chief ACP Azlin, and he issued an order that police would still make a request for a post-mortem on the deceased.

After that, Dr Ezani informed me that the deceased died of the acute respiratory syndrome as complications of blunt chest trauma with multiple organ failure.

Then a post mortem was conducted at the HKL at 1am.

In his testimony, Lew, who is the 28th and the last witness for the inquest conducting officers, also informed the court that police have recorded statements from a total of 61 witnesses, including 29 public members.

He said police also arrested a total of 12 suspects, six of whom were nabbed over Adib's case while the rest over the riot at MCT developer office.

However, according to Lew, of all the witnesses, there was none who had actually witnessed Adib being assaulted.

"So far, for these 61 witnesses, there was no witness who saw or said that the victim was beaten up or kicked," he said.

Lew told the court that Bukit Aman had also issued photos of 66 people being sought for assistance in the case, but so far none of them had come forward.

The police officer also testified that the Forensics Unit had collected a total of 29 exhibits when they examined the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department's fire engine and EMRS van involved in the incident, including paint samples, a helmet, a mineral water bottle and a purple visor.

Forensics officers also dusted the vehicles for fingerprints but most of them were incomplete for comparison. - Mkini