Adib’s murder suspects to be quizzed again

Four were earlier remanded for assault

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will be questioning again the four suspects who were earlier remanded for assaulting firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, as the case has now been reclassified as murder after he died.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the four would be called in for another round of statements.

“The four will definitely be called in again. With the case now reclassified as murder, we will now be looking at the finer details.

“There is more evidence that we need to gather on the case,” he said, adding that police were also looking for more witnesses over the incident.

Muhammad Adib was seriously injured while he was on duty following riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman on Nov 27.

He was part of a team of nine firemen responding to a fire at the temple in USJ 25, where rioters were protesting its relocation.

He initially showed signs of improvement while receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute and was responding to some verbal commands. His condition however became worse and he suffered progressive deterioration of his lung function on Dec 16. He passed away a day later.

Noor Rashid said they were also in the midst of identifying more people who could give evidence on the case.

“A number of the 38 people we sought over the case have come forward and we have already taken their statements,” he said.

In Ipoh, Perak Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Sayani Saidon said there have been more empathy from the public towards their hazardous line of work following several tragedies that befell them.

“I want to thank the media and also the public for the support received for the multiple tragedies we’ve faced.

“We used to be bombarded by criticism when performing our duties,” she told reporters during a special Yassin recitation and prayers for the firemen who lost their lives at the state headquarters yesterday.

On the event, Sayani said it was held for the late Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and the six firemen who drowned during a rescue operation to look for a teenager at a former mining pool in Puchong in October.

“2018 has been a bad year for us, as we have lost many of our colleagues this year.

“These tragedies have never happened before,” she said, adding that the firemen always give their all when performing their duties and will never stop doing so.

“Today is meant to show the solidarity towards our lost comrades,” she added.

Some 150 department heads and officers attended the event.

There is more evidence that we need to gather on the case. Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim