Attorney-General Tommy Thomas today said the withdrawal of Syazlin Mansor as the lawyer for the family of the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim will not affect the role of her expert witness Dr Shahrom Abdul Wahid.
Even though Syazlin is no longer part of the inquest into Adib's death, Thomas said the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) is prepared to subpoena Shahrom as its witness.
"Shahrom is an expert witness assisting the coroner in the inquest.
"His role in the inquest is not affected by Syazlin's withdrawal as counsel. Deputy public prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin informed the coroner that Chambers is prepared to assist the coroner by subpoenaing Shahrom.
"We will do so," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Syazlin surprised the inquest when she announced that she was withdrawing as the lawyer for Adib's family and the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which oversees the Fire and Rescue Department.
Shahrom (above), a witness for Adib's family, had told the court that Adib sustained his injuries after he was pulled out of an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle and assaulted on Nov 27 during the Seafield temple riots.
His testimony contradicted that of two other experts, who told the court that Adib fell from the vehicle and that his injuries were due to being hit by the vehicle when it backed into him in an attempt to escape an advancing mob.
Adib, 24, succumbed to his injuries at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 17.
Thomas said the AGC had only wanted Syazlin to resign as a lawyer for the Housing and Local Government Ministry due to a conflict of interest, but had no issue with her representing Adib's family.
"Deputy public prosecutor Faten requested Syazlin to continue to represent the deceased’s family so that the inquest proceedings could proceed and Shahrom could be called to further testify.
"Syazlin was however firm on her decision to withdraw," he said.- Mkini
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