PUTRAJAYA: There is no need to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) at present to investigate the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, says Housing and Local Government Minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin.
“This is because the inquest on Adib's death, which began in February, is proceeding smoothly,” she said in response to Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia's (Putra) insistence in asking for an RCI to be set up immediately.
"I do not think setting up an RCI is necessary at this moment because the case proceeding is going on smoothly and we should wait for the coroner's decision," she told reporters when met at the Fire and Rescue Department's Aidilfitri celebration at its headquarters, here, today.
On the inquest that will resume Thursday, Zuraida said she would contact Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for the name of the lawyer who would represent the ministry and the fire department.
"We have not been informed by the A-G as to who will represent the ministry and the Fire and Rescue Department, and I will contact him today to find out the names proposed," she said.
Prior to this, lawyer Syazlin Mansor, who was representing Adib’s family, the ministry and the fire department, had quit the inquest.
Thomas had explained that she was in a conflict of interest position, as she was acting for all the three parties.
On June 12, Syazlin announced that she would only continue to represent Adib’s family at the inquest into the fireman’s death. -- BERNAMA