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KUALA LUMPUR: The identity of the firefighter seen standing behind a fire truck as it was reversing in a viral video taken during the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple riot, has been confirmed to not be Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
Confirming this was Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Mohamad Hamdan Wahid, who said the man in the video was actually Muhammad Adib’s colleague.
He further added that the firefighter, identified as Mohd Hazim Mohd Rahimi, 31, was originally riding in the fire truck in front of the emergency vehicle that Muhammad Adib was in.
Mohamad Hamdan was commenting on the allegation made by the temple committee that Muhammad Adib had been hit by a reversing fire truck while responding to a fire at the scene.
He suffered severe injuries after reportedly being dragged out of his vehicle and beaten by the mob at the temple site on Tuesday.
He is currently being treated at the National Heart Institute (IJN).
The temple committee alleged that what actually happened was captured in the viral video.
Mohamad Hamdan said the department will be lodging a police report against the allegations. He was speaking during a press conference at IJN on Wednesday.
Mohd Hazim, who was also present during the press conference, confirmed that the person in the video was him, adding that he was caught on video alighting from the fire truck to access the vehicle’s hose reel.
He said upon seeing the riot, he ran into the emergency vehicle for safety.
“It was a very chaotic and confusing moment,“ he said, adding that rioters had rushed towards them seemingly with the intent to attack.
Meanwhile, the police will be investigating a claim that fireman Muhammad Adib injuries were not caused by rioters, but he was instead run over by a fire engine at the temple.
Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Mazlan Mansor said they were now recording statements from witnesses with regard to the matter.
He informed that they will also record statements from those associated with the temple.
Speaking at a press conference at the Subang Jaya district police headquarters, here today, Mazlan added that police reports would be made with regard to the spread of information that can cause anxiety amongst the public.
“Police will lodge reports and investigate who is behind this sharing of nonsense on social media.
“Sharing unverified information must stop. Members of the public can also contact the Selangor police contingent’s hotline at 012-6009999,“ Mazlan added.
