KUALA LUMPUR: Investigations into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, have unearthed ‘specific findings’ on the cause of his death, which can only be revealed in court.
An inquest will also be conducted to determine the cause of his death.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said these findings were the outcome of police investigations including via witness statements, reenactments and the results of an autopsy by forensic pathologists.
“Police have informed me of the latest updates concerning their investigation into the death of Muhammad Adib, which is now being probed under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
“Police investigations via the recording of witness statements, reenactment and an autopsy by forensic pathologists have unearthed specific findings on the cause of his death, which can only be disclosed in court,” he said in a statement.
Muhyiddin said he has already discussed the case developments with the Attorney-General.
“The AG has informed me that, as the prosecutor and in executing his duties under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, will instruct the magistrate to conduct an inquest under Chapter XXXII of the same Code to determine the cause of Adib’s death.
“The prosecutors will apply for the courts to set a hearing date soon, and will assist the magistrate in conducting the inquest,” he said.
Muhyiddin said, in the inquest proceeding, the magistrate will have a wide scope of powers under Section 328 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which touches on cause of death.
“This includes assessing how he (Adib) died and whether his death was caused, or accelerated by any illegal acts committed by someone else,” he said.
The New Straits Times front-paged an exclusive report on Dec 19 that Adib suffered additional fractures on his ribcage, which were previously not visible on X-ray.
On Nov 27, Adib and other rescuers from the Subang Jaya Emergency Response System (EMRS) unit were deployed to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya to put out a vehicle fire.
However, Adib was dragged out of the vehicle and set upon by rioters.
He was later rescued by members the public who rushed him to the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) for treatment. He was later transferred to the IJN to receive further treatment.
He died on Dec 17, which led police to classify the case as murder.
Police subsequently arrested 106 people to facilitate a probe into the case. Four men, aged between 21 and 24, were the latest to be released on remand on Dec 10.