KUALA LUMPUR: The family of deceased fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim has withdrawn an appeal over committal proceedings against former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.
However, Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid, who initiated the proceedings four years ago, said the withdrawal did not change the Shah Alam Coroner's Court findings that his son died due to a criminal act.
Kassim, in a statement issued by his lawyer, said the family decided to end the appeal as they do not want to prolong the matter.
"The family considers that the process and proceedings of contempt of court against Thomas and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) have been resolved.
"This, however, does not mean the police should stop searching for those responsible for Adib's death as a criminal investigation has no time limit," the statement said.
The statement said law firm Messrs Mohd Zubir Embong & Associates, who represented the family, had filed a notice in court on May 31.
On Sept 27, 2019, Shah Alam coroner Rofiah Mohamad, who heard the inquiry into Adib's death, ruled that the latter had died as a result of a criminal act by more than two unidentified people.
On Aug 27, 2019, the Coroner's Court allowed the contempt proceedings to commence saying that the Kassim family had established a prima facie case against the former attorney-general.
The High Court on Jan 28 last year cleared Thomas of contempt on grounds of non-disclosure of material facts by Kassim.
It also ruled that the coroner had jurisdiction to hear the complaint against Thomas for allegedly showing disrespect for the court.
Adib, who was a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services unit from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station, was critically injured in a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya on Nov 27, 2018.
He was taken to the Subang Jaya Medical Centre and later transferred to the National Heart Institute. Despite showing signs of recovery, he died on Dec 17 that year.