The Malaysian Insight

THE government will form a special investigative team to reinvestigate the death of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

The committee will be headed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and will include Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin, Local Government and Housing Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Attorney-General Idrus Harun.

“The committee will ensure a thorough investigation into the Adib case,” Ismail said in a statement today.

“The formation of this committee proves the government’s commitment to ensuring there is justice for Adib and that the assailants are brought to court.”

Fireman Adib, 24, sustained serious injuries during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on November 27, 2018, and died 21 days later at the National Heart Institute.

The ensuing coroner’s inquest into his death saw contradictory evidence being presented by forensic pathologists. And while the inquest concluded that his death was the result of a criminal act involving more than two people, it could not identify who the assailants were.

Police, who were told to reinvestigate the case last year, only recommended unlawful assembly charges against the 12 suspects. 

“Police investigated the case on the orders of the Attorney-General’s Chambers following the findings of the Shah Alam coroner’s inquest, and submitted investigation papers with these recommendations,” said the Home Ministry in a written reply to Parliament last year.

“That is, to charge 12 suspects under section 143 of the penal code and to request another inquest with the agreement of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.”

Adib’s death has been heavily politicised by Umno and PAS before they became the government last year.

Meanwhile, Ismail said the government also agreed to set up a probe team for the allegations in former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ memoirs My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.

The government also agreed to form a committee to review the Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh issue, where Malaysia has overlapping claims with Singapore.

“The committee will review the options available and the team will be headed by former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali,” said Ismail. 

“The cabinet has also decided to get opinions on legal actions under tort of misfeasance for any negligence in not appealing the Pedra Branca case.”

All three committees will be given six months to prepare a report for the cabinet to decide on further action. – October 9, 2021.