Ministry appoints new team of four counsels for Adib's inquest

The Housing and Local Government Ministry, along with the Fire and Rescue Department, have appointed a team of three senior federal counsels and a federal counsel as their representatives in the ongoing inquest to determine the cause of the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim's death.

The four - Senior Federal Counsels Suzana Atan, Mazlifah Ayob and Fadzilatul Isma Ahmad Rafngah (photo, above) and Federal Counsel Afiq Zainal Abidin, appeared before coroner Rofiah Mohamad to replace lawyer Syazlin Mansor, who was previously forced to withdraw.

Syazlin, who later announced that she would continue to represent Muhammad Adib's family, also reappeared alongside lawyer Yahya Othman.

After confirming the new line-up of lawyers for all parties, Rofiah proceeded to set July 3, 4 and 5 for the inquest to recall its 29th witness - retired UKM pathology professor Shahrom Abdul Wahid.

She also requested for the parties concerned to submit a list of potential physics experts to assist the inquest on July 16 and 17.

"The list can be submitted between July 3 and July 5 so I can decide (on the physics expert to be called)," Rofiah said.

The inquest's conducting officer DPP Faten Hadni Khairuddin later welcomed Syazlin's return as there were no objections against her representing Adib's family.

"The AG's request to the minister was only for her to be recused from representing the ministry and the Fire Department," said Faten.

She also confirmed that testimony from a physics expert is required to clarify calculations used to estimate the amount of impact which hit Adib on the night of the Seafield Seri Mahariamman temple riot last Nov 27.

When met later, Suzana said the ministry and the Fire Department have yet to decide whether they would submit an expert's name for Rofiah's consideration.

"We don't have a name just yet, but we will consider the names (already) proposed to see if we need to suggest one of our own," she said.

The inquest on May 17 decided to consult a physics expert after two forensic doctors had applied Newton's second law of motion, but came up with two different results.

Medical forensic expert Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi had at the time defended his view that Shahrom should have included the weight of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van in estimating the amount of force generated.

Shahrom, in his first appearance before the inquest, had applied a similar formula - without taking into account the weight of the EMRS van - and suggested it would not have sufficient force upon impact to send Adib hurtling onto a nearby road kerb.

Adib, 24, passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 17. - Mkini