Key witness in inquest into Adib's death changes statement to police

A key witness in the concluded inquest into firefighter Adib Mohd Kassim's death has changed his statement when questioned by police again, according to Bukit Aman.

Crime Investigation Department (CID) director Huzir Mohamed told reporters during a press conference today, where Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador was updating the press about the progress in their investigation into Adib's death.

"That man. This witness, he had changed his statement," Huzir said, referring to contractor N Suresh, who told the Shah Alam Coroner's Court in Feb last year that he witnessed the Nov 27, 2019 Seafield incident during the temple riot in Subang Jaya.

In his testimony, Suresh claimed that he saw a firefighter on the ground, leaning against a car bumper surrounded by over two dozen people.

Suresh had testified that he heard some people in the crowd shouting in Tamil "Don't hit!" and "They even beat firefighters", before seeing Adib being whisked away shoeless and shirtless.

Also at today's press conference, Abdul Hamid said they have recalled all 30 witnesses who testified in the inquest and interviewed 52 new witnesses.

However, the top cop said there was not a single witness who could tell the police that they saw Adib being beaten up during the riot.

This prompted reporters to enquire more as Suresh had testified otherwise in court.

Huzir, however, did not elaborate more on what the witness had told police during the re-investigation into the death.

[MORE TO FOLLOW] - Mkini