Malaysians across the country are mourning the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Kassim, who succumbed to injuries sustained after responding to a riot at a Subang-area temple.
His body arrived by helicopter this morning to his hometown, outside of Kuala Kedah, in the north of the country, touching down at 10:30am. Muhammad Adib’s parents accompanied the body from Kuala Lumpur back home.
JUST IN: Fellow firemen carry the coffin of Muhammad Adib Kassim after funeral prayers this morning.
His remains will be airlifted to his Kuala Kedah village for burial. pic.twitter.com/LrAQLJZVKW
— The Malaysian Insight (@msianinsight) December 18, 2018
Last month, an on-going dispute over the relocation of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariammam Temple caused nothing short of a riot, as dozens of individuals descended on its current location in what some allege was intentional rabble-rousing incited by thug-for-hire parties linked to the land’s developers.
Members of the mob are alleged to have attacked the firefighter, leaving him in critical condition, suffering from internal injuries, and broken bones. Over the last weekend, his condition deteriorated further while at one of the country’s top hospitals, the National Heart Institute. Leading up to his death last night at 9:41pm, doctors reported that both his lung and kidney functions had rapidly deteriorated.
News of his death hit the country hard, with even Prime Minister Mahathir taking time yesterday to share his condolences to Muhammad Adib’s family via Twitter. Previously, he had visited the injured firefighter in hospital as he fought for his life.
Both he and his wife were present at Subang airport this morning to see Muhammad Abid’s body sent off back to their mutual home state of Kedah, in the north of the country.
PM @chedetofficial beri penghormatan terakhir kepada jenazah Allahyarham Muhammad Adib di Airod Subang pic.twitter.com/Q6A8yHV2pR
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) December 18, 2018
Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also shared her sympathies, calling for justice for those guilty of such a heinous crime, while also reminding the public to remain calm — a sentiment also echoed by her husband, Anwar Ibrahim.
#JusticeForAdib has been trending on Twitter over the last 12 hours, with netizens calling for the guilty parties to face the wrath of the law in what is truly a senseless murder to most.
Selangor police have declared the case a murder investigations. Muhammad Adib leaves behind his parents, and a fiance he was set to marry this month.
The death of firefighter Muhammad Adib has been classified as murder. – Selangor Police pic.twitter.com/Xx9ipxiwXh
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) December 17, 2018
Our hearts are sad and heavy this morning.
