DPM urges calm, assures that Adib's death won't go unpunished

Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged for calm and assured that those who caused the death of Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim will not go unpunished.

"Let us pray the culprits are brought to justice swiftly […] I want to remind all Malaysians to stay calm and not behave rashly.

"We are all saddened at this heinous crime but let the due process of the law run its course. Rest assured, this crime will not go unpunished," she said in a statement issued tonight.

The 24-year-old was part of the Fire and Rescue Department team that had been deployed in response to vehicles that were torched by rioters near the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor on Nov 26.

On reaching the scene, Adib was dragged out of his vehicle and beaten up, causing him to suffer several broken ribs and multiple organ injuries.

"It is important that all Malaysians stand together now in solidarity against this crime. We must remember that this was not a religious or racial crime but a criminal act committed by heartless human beings," Wan Azizah said.

She added that Adib was truly a hero.

"My deepest condolences go out to his parents and immediate family members, including his fiancée. May Adib's soul receive Allah's blessings and be placed among the righteous," she said.

Police had arrested four suspects who were believed to have attacked Adib. They are currently out on bail.

Adib's condition had initially improved (above) after undergoing treatment at the National Heart Institute.

However, IJN yesterday said Adib became critically ill and he was put back on life support after his condition deteriorated within 24 hours.

Adib was to have gotten married this month. His remains will be brought to Kedah for burial.

On Nov 26, the developer which owns the land on which the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya sit had tried to take control of the building in a bid to enforce a consent judgment.

The developer allegedly hired thugs to secure the temple leading to clashes with temple devotees that in turn led to riots.

The developer denied that it had hired thugs as announced by Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Supporters gathered near the temple the following day, where the second round of rioting broke out. Adib was attacked during this incident.

Conspiracy theories about how Adib was injured had been circulated after the temple's priest claimed the fireman was mowed down by a fire truck.

However, Malaysiakini had reviewed the photographs and videos of the incident and found that the person allegedly "mowed down" was wearing a different outfit from Adib.

Adib, who was part of the emergency medical rescue team, was wearing a regular camouflage uniform while the person referred to by the priest wore a fire-resistant Nomex suit and helmet.

The Fire and Rescue Department said the person referred to was Mohd Hazim Mohd Rahimi, who had run past a fire truck but was not mowed down. - Mkini