KUALA LUMPUR: An amount of RM1.5mil of ex-gratia payments have been paid to firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s next-of-kin by the government, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The prime minister said the payment was made on November 29 last year to show the government’s commitments to defend the rakyat.

       "Despite the case being ongoing, the government has paid an amount of RM1.5mil of ex-gratia payments to the deceased’s next-of-kin in November last year," he said in his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly on Saturday (March 19).

       Ismail Sabri also said that the probe into the death of Muhammad Adib had been done thoroughly and transparently.

       "The special committee on the case has presented the interim report on March 15," he added.

       Muhammad Adib, 24, was a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services unit from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station, sustained serious injuries during a commotion at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya on Nov 27, 2018.