Syazlin Mansor’s withdrawal today as the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s counsel in the inquest proceedings into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim does not invalidate earlier testimonies by Professor Dr Shahrom Abdul Wahid, the expert witness appointed to assist with the inquest.
Shahrom had previously suggested that Adib was pulled out from the emergency medical rescue services (EMRS) vehicle in a melee that ensued outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on the 27thof November 2018.
Following Syazlin’s announcement, Adib’s family lawyer, Ahmad Taufiq Baharom, told the coroner’s court that they were leaving the matter for the court to decide as there was no other witness to call.
TANJUNG MALIM: Syazlin Mansor’s withdrawal today as the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s counsel in the inquest proceedings into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim does not invalidate earlier testimonies by Professor Dr Shahrom Abdul Wahid, the expert witness appointed to assist with the inquest.
Syazlin, who made known her decision to withdraw a few minutes after the coroner’s court began its session before Coroner Rofiah Mohamad, said her withdrawal voided Shahrom’s appointment, which is true, but only henceforth.
This means the legitimacy of the retired pathologist’s earlier appointment as expert witness and the testimonies he provided in that capacity cannot be denied or ruled out.
There is also nothing stopping the coroner’s court from recording further testimonies from Shahrom given that his status as forensic expert and witness with knowledge material to the inquest is well established.
Shahrom had previously suggested that Adib was pulled out from the emergency medical rescue services (EMRS) vehicle in a melee that ensued outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on the 27thof November 2018.
On the 10thof April 2019, Shahrom told the coroner’s court that the medical officers who treated Adib were not aware of the victim’s seven broken ribs.
“As I said before, I believe that someone grabbed Adib and pushed him towards the edge of the Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) van door.
“The power of the push could have been more than 2500 N (Newton units), equivalent to the power of two and a half men.
“These should be an abrasive concussion from the impact as the door edge’s surface is hard, thin and vertical in shape.
“I believe nobody had examined Adib’s back during examination,” he said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Hamdan Hamzah.
Six days later, Sahrom revealed that Adib may have been semi-conscious when pulled from the EMRS truck.
“He may have been semi-conscious, either because he was in shock, or because he was in extreme pain due to his injuries.
Following Syazlin’s announcement, Adib’s family lawyer, Ahmad Taufiq Baharom, told the coroner’s court that they were leaving the matter for the court to decide as there was no other witness to call.
The court adjourned for 45 minutes, following which Rofiah set the 26thof June 2019 for mention of the inquest.
She said three matters would be resolved on that date – the replacement of counsel, the names of witnesses and the physics experts to be called by both sides and the decision on whether to recall Dr Shahrom to testify.
THE THIRD FORCE
