IGP: Refrain from touching on racial sensitivities

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun says fireman Adib had risked his life for the safety of the public and he will forever be remembered as a national hero.

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun today reminded Malaysians to refrain from touching on racial or religious sensitivities following the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim as a result of injuries sustained during the Nov 27 Seafield temple fracas.

“In order to avoid deterioration of public disorder in the country, police would like to advise all parties not to act in any way that may raise racial or religious sensitivities, following riots at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Seafield last November,” he said in a statement.

Fuzi also offered his condolences to Adib’s family and the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department’s Emergency Medical Response Service (EMRS).

He said Adib had risked his life for the safety and peace of the public and that his death was a huge loss to the country. He added that Adib would forever be remembered as a national hero.

Earlier, Selangor deputy police chief Ab Rashid Ab Wahab, in a statement, said police had reclassified Adib’s death from Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder to Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Adib, who sustained serious injuries after he was assaulted during the riots that broke out at the Seafield temple on Nov 27, died at 9.41pm at the National Heart Institute yesterday.

He was part of the team of firefighters who had rushed to USJ25 following a protest over the relocation of the temple which saw rioters setting vehicles on fire.

He was dragged out of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle and assaulted.

Last week, it was reported that four men – aged between 21 and 24 – were detained to assist investigations into the attack on the 24-year-old.

The four were, however, released on a court bond and police bail after their remand order expired. - FMT