LOSING seven personnel in the line of duty is tough for any uniformed organisation, especially during peace times.

In Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s case, it was murder, and his killers have yet to be brought to justice. The police have to ensure that all those criminally responsible have to be identified and swiftly brought to justice.
 
Adib, in his prime, probably jumped to the call of duty that night not thinking twice of the risks involved. He, like all starry eyed young men in uniform, was ever ready, waiting and selflessly wanting to serve, as was expected of him. But the young man with so much ahead of him had to pay the ultimate price for carrying out his duty. 

Why was there no apprehension of the possible risk? It was a volatile situation that required careful strategic approaches.

Was an assessment done before sending the team in? Were his superiors in the know? Were the police notified for backup and support? One would have expected that contingency as a basic standard operating procedure. It could have saved Adib’s life. Maybe.

Nevertheless, this young fireman paid the ultimate price for reasons that should not have been. Why do we keep getting into such racial polemics? Will we ever become true Malaysians? Can we cross the threshold of racial and religious strife any time in the near future?

So many questions and New Malaysia does not seem to have its finger on the pulse of the present socio-political climate.

Could the outcome have been different if the rule of law pertaining to the consent judgment obtained in 2014 was adhered to in the strictest interpretation possible? 

Well, an “if” followed by another “maybe”. 

The authorities still have not got a grip on the rule of law as they play it safe by succumbing to internal factional strife and their own rules of engagement. Court judgments and enforcement of the law take a back seat as sentiments rule the day.
  
It is sad that when the system fails to uphold the rule of law, causing those concerned to take the law into their own hands, resulting in a heavy price for society.

The whole nation must have felt much pain from the time Adib breathed his last till he was laid to rest in Kuala Kedah. A sad day for family, friends and the men in uniform. 

It is time we stop paying lip service to the real meaning of implementing the rule of law in its strictest interpretation, without fear or favour. 

The courts, too, need support to enforce judgments, and they need the police to be decisively firm. Sad that this has to be repeated over and over again. Compromising on the rule of law will only bring further calamities, such as in the aftermath of the Seafield temple incident.

I hope Adib’s sacrifice in the line of duty will not be in vain as we cannot let religious and racial sensitivities be the bane in the strictest application of the rule of law.
 
Dear Adib, Malaysians, all as one, pray that you rest in peace as you have brought pride and honour to the nation through your bravery, coupled with the colours of your uniform. – December 19, 2018.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.