The ugly propagandisation of Adib's death

“This inquest is a good thing and it can bring justice for Adib, in fact, that is what we want, justice for Adib.”
– Mohd Kassim Abdul Hamid (Adib's father)

COMMENT | While the father of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim approves of the inquest into his son’s death, numerous parties have chosen this opportunity to propagandise Adib's death in furtherance of racial and religious agendas.

Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan, for instance, criticised the move for this inquest, claiming rather bizarrely that an investigation into the cause of death was not the same as figuring out who killed Adib.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia are puzzled over this need for an inquest and took the opportunity to claim that attorney-general Tommy Thomas was “confused.”

Did movers and shakers on the far right – including those in Pakatan Harapan – show the same concern for those firefighters who drowned or the boys who were brutally killed in a religious school? Of course, while everyone claims that this case is not about race, the reality is that it is. The propagandisation of the death of this firefighter brings up some uncomfortable questions.

For instance, would Adib or his family approve of the racist remarks against a minister in the cabinet? Would Adib or his family approve of that hateful rally on Christmas day? Would Adib or his family approve of the provocateurs using the memory of Adib to incite hatred against the other communities here in Malaysia?

Please keep in mind that the statements made by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Azwanddin Hamzah are in reality waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Because that is what threatening to attack a police station is. What do you think the “Royal” in PDRM stands for?

Then, of course, there is the Arabic text of “Allah” and “Muhammad” in the flag plus the insignia of the police, which means that by attacking a police station, Azwanddin is also symbolically attacking, disrespecting or inciting rebellion against the state-sponsored religion which is Islam.

What do Umno or the Muslims Lawyers' Association think of this? When P Uthayakumar made statements which were deemed treasonous against the state, he was hauled up and jailed. Why isn't Azwanddin (photo) being investigated for waging war against the Agong, and why not for sedition too since nobody seems interested in the moratorium Harapan has imposed on this law?

I guess activists are easy targets, but when someone actually threatens attacks...