FAMILY members of prominent academic and author Dr Kassim Ahmad have instructed lawyer Rosli Dahlan to seek compensation from the Federal Territories Religious Department (Jawi), claiming that his three-year legal battle with the religious authority had greatly affected his health.

“Yes, I have been instructed by the family to do so. I will release a statement soon,” Rosli told The Malaysian Insight.

He said Kassim’s family members had instructed him to file legal proceedings against the Islamic governance department.

Kassim died at 10am today at Kulim Hospital after being warded for a month. He slipped into a coma yesterday.

He had just turned 84 last month.

In August, the shariah court ruled in favour of Kassim after Jawi charged him with insulting Islam and breaking an Islamic edict during a seminar he spoke at in February 2014.

Despite winning the case, Rosli said, Kassim’s children blamed Jawi for his death, as they believed the three-year battle had led to the deterioration of his health.

Rosli said Jawi officers had raided Kassim’s home in Kulim, Kedah, on March 26, 2014.

“Jawi came with 13 vehicles, broke down the door of his home, and embarrassed him in front of his wife and grandchildren.

“His picture and a video were taken without his permission, and he was unlawfully arrested and detained, and brought into a van for a six-hour ride to Penang International Airport before he was forced to board a plane to Kuala Lumpur.”

He said Kassim was born to a religious teacher, and had deep knowledge of religion.

“Throughout the episode (with Jawi), Kassim remained steadfast, but his health badly deteriorated.

“His daughter, Soraya, and son, Shauqi, blame Jawi for causing their father’s health to deteriorate as he was forced to go to the court in Putrajaya from Kulim for each hearing.”  – October 10, 2017.