MUHAMMAD Adib Mohd Kassim’s family are still waiting for authorities to act against those responsible for the young firefighter’s death from injuries sustained in a temple riot two years ago. 

They are disappointed with the way police are handling investigations, saying they have not been updated on any new developments.

Adib’s father, Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid, 64, said police have not kept the family informed, and the two-year wait for a breakthrough has been a long wait in the darkness. 

“Our lawyer has asked police to expedite investigations, but until now they have not found anything else. 

“Police did not contact me to inform me of any developments, and I am disappointed,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

The family will proceed with their plan to sue the police. 

“We have asked our lawyers to handle it. We are doing this for the family,” Kassim said. 

The Malaysian Insight contacted the lawyer, Ahmad Taufiq Baharom but has not received any response.

Adib was assaulted during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, USJ 25, Subang Jaya, on November 27, 2018 while responding to an emergency call at the temple. 

The 24-year-old, who was attached with the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station Emergency Medical Rescue Services team, sustained severe injuries and fought for his life for 21 days, before dying on December 17 at the National Heart Institute.

A near year-long inquest by the coroner’s court ultimately ruled in September last year Adib’s death was caused by “more than two or three individuals who could not be identified”. 

The proceedings made headlines for contradictory evidence by forensic pathologists who held different views on how the injuries were caused and what led to Adib’s death. 

Following the coroner’s findings, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said police were also at a dead end on new leads, because there were no witnesses who actually saw Adib being beaten after taking statements from 30 people.

The top cop’s remarks led to Adib’s family announcing plans in July for a civil suit. 

In August, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin, said the government recommended a second inquest, or to charge 12 people who were earlier suspended with unlawful assembly.

Some Muslim rights groups have also turned Adib’s death into a cause for justice.

Pertubuhan Pembela Islam Malaysia (Pembela), which has been vocal on the matter, said the government did not seem to be paying enough attention to the case.

“It is evident the government is very weak in solving the case. There is no update, no news. Just pure silence,” Pembela vice-chairman Mohd Noor Izzat Johari told The Malaysian Insight. 

Islamist political party PAS, as well as Umno, had then demanded a royal commission of inquiry for further investigations. 

They also accused the then attorney-general, Tommy Thomas of interfering in the case. 

Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Dr Azmil Tayeb said it will be hard to detach religious and racial sentiments from Adib’s death.

“Such sentiments are still very strong in our society.”

However, Azmil said it was also clear Umno and PAS had used Adib’s death as political fodder to attack the Pakatan Harapan government, which was in power at the time. 

“The issue has gone quiet, now that Umno and PAS are in government.

“Racial and religious sentiments have taken a backseat, as the Perikatan Nasional government is dominated by Malay-Muslim parties. 

“However, such sentiments can flare up anytime based on current political interests,” said Azmil. 

Penang Institute’s Nidhal Mujahid said Umno and PAS were now seeing the reality of how difficult it is to investigate a case based on facts and the rule of law, and not be guided by racial sentiments. 

“I hope Adib’s death will get proper attention, devoid of such sentiments,” he said. – December 1, 2020.