KUALA LUMPUR: Police should be given sufficient time and space under the country’s law to conduct their probe into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
Malaysian Bar President Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor said this was to ensure that those who were responsible for his death will face justice.
“It is pertinent that the police be given enough latitude and space to conduct their investigation professionally in accordance with the country’s laws, to ensure that those who are responsible for the death of Muhammad Adib will face justice,” he said in a statement today.
He said only when the police conclude their probe, could the investigation papers be submitted to the Attorney-General chambers for their consideration.
“It is to be reminded that the verdict of an inquest, unlike a criminal conviction, does not impute any liability against anyone.
“It is merely an exercise for the finding of facts, in determining how a deceased would have come upon his/her death; the cause of death; and if there were any criminal elements in it.”
Fareed said any verdict that touches on the involvement of “crime” could only be acted upon based on police investigations.
The Malaysian Bar urged the police to conduct a thorough and rigorous reinvestigation, with no stone left unturned, to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The death of a public servant in the course of his/her duty as a result of crime should not be in vain.
“The Malaysian Bar also urged the general public to exercise restraint and allow the police to conduct a fair investigation”, Fereed said.
The coroner’s inquest into the late fireman’s tragic death which lasted 41-days, began on Feb 11.
It saw 30 witnesses being called including several experts and 137 exhibits were submitted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin assisted the court in the proceedings, while Adib’s family was represented by counsel Syazlin Mansor, Yahaya Othman, Kamaruzaman A Wahab and Ahmad Taufiq Baharum.
Three senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, Mazlifah Ayob and Fadilatul Isma Ahmad Rafngah, and one federal counsel Afiq Zainal Abidin represented Ministry of Housing and Local Government as well as the Fire and Rescue Department.
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, 2018.
The late fireman 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.