Adib inquest: New DPP for ministry and Fire Department soon
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has confirmed that a new deputy public prosecutor (DPP) will be appointed to represent her ministry and the Fire Department in the ongoing inquest on the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim after meeting Attorney General Tommy Thomas today.
“The AG has rightly taken the position that the new DPP assigned will adopt all evidence and submissions adduced and raised in the coroner’s court by our previous lawyer, Syazlin Mansor.
“This will include the evidence of professor Shahrom Abdul Wahid,” Zuraida said in a statement in reference to the expert who maintained that Adib sustained his injury after he was pulled out of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle and assaulted on the night of the Seafield temple riot on Nov 27 last year.
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 a department vehicle which had reversed in an attempt to escape an advancing mob.
Adib, 24, died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 17.
Syazlin quit from the Adib inquest on Monday.
Thomas pointed out that she was in a conflict of interest position as she had agreed to act for the ministry, department and Adib’s family.
He said she could continue representing the family but Syazlin declined.
Zuraida said the DPP replacing Syazlin will act independently of the conducting officer of the inquest.
“We hope this will end any baseless speculation by irresponsible quarters and allow the inquest to continue smoothly and without disruption,” the minister said.
She also thanked Syazlin for providing free legal services.
