The family of the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim has questioned the new government’s proposal of levelling a mere illegal assembly charge against the 12 suspects in the case.
Adib’s father, Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid, said authorities should study this matter to ensure justice against any wrongdoing which allegedly resulted in his son’s death.
Adib, a member of the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department's Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS), was seriously injured during the Seafield temple riots on Nov 27, 2018.
He later died on Dec 17, 2018, at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
A subsequent inquest into his death found that Adib's death was the result of a criminal act caused by two to three unidentified persons who rioted and attacked a fire engine which had responded to the scene of the riots.
“I have been watching the developments...so we are surprised. Why the need for the charge to be levelled under a lighter section (of the law), and not with the charge of murder?
“I will consult with the line of lawyers regarding this,” the 64-year-old said when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin told the Dewan Rakyat that police recommended that the 12 suspects in the case be charged under Section 143 of the Penal Code which covers unlawful assembly.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, fine or both, upon conviction.
The minister also said police have submitted a recommendation to the Attorney-General's Chambers for a second inquest to be held.
Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had, last month, proposed the formation of a new task force to re-examine all aspects of the firefighter’s death.
This was as there were conflicting opinions from two pathologists who had performed post-mortems on Adib and none of over 50 witnesses police spoke to was able to tell the police that they saw Adib being beaten up during the riot.
The suggestion upset Adib’s family, which denied the top cop’s claim to have recalled all 31 witnesses from the initial inquest.
Abdul Hamid denied disrespecting the Coroner's Court decision but explained that new evidence would be able to decide whether the decision can be fully supported, while only a criminal court hearing could determine a decision that is “conclusive, holistic and of importance”.
This, however, did not stop the family from reportedly filing a civil suit against the police over purported negligence. - Mkini
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