SHAH ALAM: Contempt proceedings against Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas over his statements regarding the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim will not affect the decision date of the latter’s inquest this Friday.
Counsel Haniff Katri Abdulla who represented Adib’s family said proceedings would continue at the Coroner’s Court despite several pending matters (on the committal proceeding) at the High Court.
“The A-G represented by Senior Federal Counsel S. Narkunavathy had filed an appeal on the court’s decision to allow the commencement (of contempt proceedings) at the High Court on Aug 29.
“Thus, we will file a notice of motion at the High Court to strike out the appeal made by Narkunavathy tomorrow.
“The High Court then fixed Oct 7 for case management,” he said after the case management of Adib’s inquest today.
During the proceedings, Narkunavathy said their appeal at the High Court had been changed from a civil to a criminal appeal.
“Thus, the Coroner’s Court must provide a full written judgement (on its decision to allow the contempt proceedings) to the High Court,” she said.
Coroner Rofiah Mohamad then fixed Oct 7 for the next case management.
On July 17, Adib’s family had filed contempt proceedings against Thomas following his media statement and an affidavit filed by former conducting officer Hamdan Hamzah in April.
The media statement distributed on May 28 was in relation to the withdrawal of lawyer Syazlin Mansor from representing the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Fire and Rescue Department.
On Aug 27, Rofiah, when allowing the committal proceedings, said the family had proved a prima facie case against the A-G.
She said the affidavit filed by Hamdan had been scrutinised by the public, following which, some had suggested that the case be referred to a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
Hamdan filed the affidavit in April to object to an appeal and a stay of the application brought by The Save Seafield Mariamman Temple Task Force, which had wanted to be included in the inquest.
The affidavit states that Adib’s injuries were not caused by rioters in front of Sri Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on Nov 27.
However, on July 27, Thomas in his affidavit said he did not meet Hamdan, and that all affidavits filed by the latter regarding Adib’s inquest were not under his direct instruction.
On the media statement, the A-G also clarified that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had issued another media statement to clarify Syazlin’s withdrawal.
Adib, 24, was reported to have been critically injured when he and a team of firemen answered a distress call about a torched vehicle outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya on Nov 27.
Initial reports claimed that he had been assaulted by a group of rioters. However, this has yet to be ascertained.
Adib was taken to Subang Jaya Medical Centre and later transferred to the National Heart Institute. Despite showing signs of recovery, Adib died on Dec 17.