PETALING JAYA: The creation of a special committee to investigate the death of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim (pic) is a welcome move, says the Peninsular Malaysia Fire and Rescue Workers Union.

       Its president Kamerul Bieza Mohamed Kassim said Fire and Rescue personnel lauded the decision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to set up the committee to thoroughly, fairly and transparently investigate the matter.

       “We appreciate the effort and thank the Prime Minister and government for this decision to continue investigating the death of Adib while he was on duty.

       “With the establishment of the special committee, our hope is that efforts to find justice for Adib and his family are continued until those guilty are punished accordingly,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 10).

       He said the committee also showed that the government was concerned with ensuring the welfare and safety of civil servants as well raising their spirits to perform their duties well.

       “Our union together with the Fire and Rescue Department hope that the confusion and disputes over this case can be resolved responsibly,” he said.

       Adib, 24, who 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.

       He died 21 days later on Dec 17 at the National Heart Institute.

       On Sept 27, 2019, the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court ruled that the fireman’s death was the result of a crime committed by more than two or more unknown persons.

       In August last year, the police investigation paper (IP) on Adib’s death submitted two suggestions to the Attorney General’s Chambers.

       Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the IP was submitted after the police carried out an investigation based on the Coroner’s Court verdict that Adib’s death was the result of a criminal act.

       The suggestions were, firstly, to charge 12 suspects under Section 143 of the Penal Code, as they were rioting and allegedly attacked Fire and Rescue Department officers.

       “Second is to hold another inquest for further investigation if it is agreeable with the AG, according to Section 339(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code,” said Hamzah.

       In April 2019, police arrested 12 suspects in connection with the suspected assault of Muhammad Adib following a riot outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Seafield, Subang Jaya, on Nov 27, 2018.