PUTRAJAYA – The complete reports on the investigation and study on Pulau Batu Puteh, the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and allegations in the book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness written by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas are expected to be ready in August.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the team and committee involved requested an extension to peruse each report and study.
Wan Junaidi said among the reasons an extension was required was for translation purposes, especially for legal terms, as the reports were written in English.
“Certain reports needed more time as the investigation committee had problems, among others, on the acquisition of statements and witnesses,” he said.
Earlier, Wan Junaidi was reported as saying the final reports on the death of Adib and allegations in former attorney-general Thomas’ book would be presented to the cabinet this month.
Adib suffered serious injuries in the riots at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya on November 27, 2018 and died from his injuries while being treated at the National Heart Institute on December 17, 2018.
The cabinet on October 29 last year agreed to set up a task force to review the actions and legal issues on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge on October 29, chaired by former attorney-general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.
The team had submitted and tabled an interim report at the end of April.
A special task force was also established to focus on fact-finding over allegations in the book written by Thomas, which was chaired by Sarawak legal adviser and former Sarawak attorney-general Datuk Seri Fong Joo Chung. – Bernama, June 13, 2022