THE police recommendations to hold a second inquest into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim is a waste of time, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.

The proposal is also to charge 12 suspects with unlawful assembly and that does not match the grievousness of the 24-year-old fireman’s death, Zahid wrote on Facebook.

The recommendations, announced by Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, appear to negate the inquest findings of the coroner’s court that said Adib’s death was the result of a criminal act by two or more unknown persons, Zahid said.

“Even though another inquest is allowed by law, it is a waste of time and denies justice to Adib and his family.

“The charge against the 12 suspects under Section 143 of the Penal Code are for unlawful assembly, which only carry a jail sentence of not more than six months, or a fine, or both.

“This is hardly proportionate to the crime of a murder of a public servant,” he added.

Hamzah yesterday said police had returned investigation papers into Adib’s death to the Attorney-General’s Chambers with two recommendations.

He had said the charge against 12 suspects under the Penal Code section on unlawful assembly would be for attacking a fire department vehicle, but Zahid today said the proper charge should be for murder.

Adib sustained serious injuries during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya on November 27, 2018, and died 21 days later at the National Heart Institute.

The coroner’s inquest last year saw contradictory evidence being presented by forensic pathologists. – August 5, 2020.