A witness in the Nazrin Hassan murder case told the Shah Alam High Court today that two mobile phones retrieved from the scene did not suffer an explosion, based on their physical condition.
Former Selangor police contingent weapons officer Mohd Sa’ad Mat Nasib, 61, said checks on the mobile phones handed to him by the investigating officer showed that both of the devices had not exploded as their batteries were still intact.
Sa’ad, who is the 35th prosecution witness, said the first mobile phone was in 90% good condition with burn marks spotted on it from the heat of a fire while the second mobile phone was badly burnt.
“Even though the second mobile phone was badly burnt, the battery was still intact. Therefore, I don’t think there was a strong explosion because if it happens, the batteries will come out of their holder.
“The shape of the battery can still be identified. The iron pieces in the battery holder were still in good condition,” he said when responding to a question by deputy public prosecutor Tengku Intan Suraya Tengku Ismail before Judge Ab Karim Ab Rahman.
Mohd Sa’ad said if the mobile phone battery which is made of lithium and wrapped with zinc-like material was overcharged, it will produce a gas that can generate sparks or cause a fire.
“A mobile phone battery usually has several components. In the event of a strong explosion, the battery will come out of its holder,” said the witness who was also formerly with the police bomb disposal unit.
Mohd Sa’ad said based on his knowledge, if the battery of a mobile phone exploded while charging, with the screen facing up, the device would be thrown up to two feet high as a result of the explosion.
Nazrin Hassan, chief executive of government-owned Cradle Fund, was found dead in his house in June 2018.

His wife, Samirah Muzaffar, 44, a former senior executive at the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, and two teenagers, aged 17 and 14, have been charged with his murder, along with Indonesian citizen, Eka Wahyu Lestari, who is still at large.
They were alleged to have committed the offence at a house in Mutiara Homes, Mutiara Damansara, between 11.30pm on June 13, 2018, and 4am on June 14, 2018.
The hearing continues on March 1. – FMT
Earlier reports:
Feb 15, Cradle Fund CEO murder trial: Shafee calls for contempt proceedings against Tommy Thomas
Oct 2, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Defence Says 29th Witness Statement Merely Hearsay Evidence
Sept 26, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Defence Claims Former Driver’s Statements Confusing
Jul 24, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Petrol Can Found at Victim’s House
July 14, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Defence Disagrees with Analysis by JBPM
Jul 13, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Samirah Never Claimed Life Insurance Following Nazrin’s Death
Jul 9, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Nazrin’s Body Had Heat-Induced Marks
Jul 9: Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Nazrin Suspected Ex-Wife Involved in Burglary at His House
Jul 3, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Nazrin’s Sister Disagrees Siblings Were Not Close
Jun 29, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Evidence Room Used Only for Nazrin Case Exhibits
Jun 26, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: No SOP, No Records Made at Temporary Evidence Room
Jun 12, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Death Cert Details Prompted Request for Exhumation
Jun 9, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Hole in CEO’s Head Aroused Sister’s Suspicions
May 22, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Blackberry Phone Did Not Explode
May 15, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Three Fire Origins Detected at Burnt Home
Feb 15, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Sibling Aware of Death Threat Against Nazrin
Dec 31, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Widow Refused to Allow Insurance to Pay Deceased’s Debts
Dec 28, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Brother Gets Info on Post-Mortem from Health DG
Dec 27, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Blog Allegedly Penned by Nazrin About Brother
Dec 24, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Witness Never Heard of Fire from Exploding BlackBerry
Dec 17, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Tense Atmosphere
Dec 3, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Fire Originated in Two Places
Nov 29, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Another Witness Accused of Lying
Nov 15, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Heated Exchange Between Witness and Lawyer Shafee
Nov 8, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Nazrin’s Body Not Typical of Fire Victim
Oct 3, Fireman: Cradle Fund CEO Had Holes on Head, Fireworks Found in Victim’s Room
Oct 3, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Samirah’s Son Filed Police Report of Cops Lying to Him
Oct 2, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Fireman Says Widow Didn’t Seem Sad at His Death
Sept 28, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Cop Saw Head and Face Injuries on Deceased
Sept 20, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Public Entered House After Fire
Sept 20, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Cop Who Received Call on Fire, Photographer Testify
Sept 13, Cradle Fund CEO Murder Trial: Guard Tried to Break Down Bedroom Door
Sept 6, Prosecution to Prove Widow. Stepsons Killed Cradle Fund CEO