The family of deceased fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim has withdrawn the appeal on committal proceedings against former Attorney-General, Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.
However, Adib’s father 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.
Mohd 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.
On Aug 27, 2019, the Coroner’s Court allowed the contempt proceedings to commence saying that Mohd Kassim’s family had proven a prima facie case against the ex-AG.
The High Court had on Jan 28 last year cleared Thomas of contempt on grounds of non-disclosure of material facts by Mohd Kassim.
It also ruled that the coroner had jurisdiction to hear the complaint against Thomas for allegedly showing disrespect to the court.
On Sept 27, 2019, Rofiah who heard the inquiry into Adib’s death ruled that the fireman had died as a result of a criminal act by more than two unidentified people.
Adib, 24, who was a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services unit from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station was critically injured during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya on Nov 27, 2018.
He was then 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. – NST