KUALA LUMPUR – The cabinet will form a special committee to ensure a thorough, transparent and appropriate investigation is made into the case of late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the committee will be chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and comprise Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.
“The establishment of this special committee proves the government’s commitment in resolving the case involving Adib’s death.
“(Through the committee), Adib, who was also a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) based at the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station, will hopefully get justice, and that the perpetrators behind his death are brought to book,” he said.
Adib died on December 17, 2018, at the National Heart Institute after sustaining serious injuries during a commotion at a Subang Jaya temple on November 27, 2018.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also announced the formation of a special investigative task force to investigate multiple allegations made by former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in his memoir, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.
According to Ismail Sabri, the decision was also made in yesterday’s cabinet meeting.
“The task force will be chaired by a former chief justice who will be appointed in the near future.
“Meanwhile, the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will act as the secretariat.”
The special investigative task force, he said, among others, aims to investigate Tommy’s allegations involving misuse of powers in the appointment of judges, the interference by the executive in the affairs of the judiciary, selective and political prosecutions as well as breaching the oath of secrecy.
On the formation of a special task force to handle the Pulau Batu Puteh issue, Ismail Sabri said a detailed study will be conducted to advise the government on issues pertaining to the contentious island by obtaining the views of international law experts.
He said the application and interpretation of related laws will be reviewed by a team headed by former attorney-general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.
“At the same time, the cabinet also decided to seek legal opinion on possible action under the tort of misfeasance against any quarters found to have committed negligence by not following through on the review application for Pulau Batu Puteh.”
The International Court of Justice previously awarded sovereignty over the main rocky outcrop to Singapore, with Malaysia withdrawing its application to review the case in 2018.
All three committees have been given six months to provide their reports, which will be tabled in cabinet for further action. – The Vibes, October 9, 2021
