He was only 24 and due to get married this weekend.
The National Heart Institute, which had been treating him, said Adib died of “progressive deterioration of lung function” due to his severe lung injury.
In the early hours of Nov 27, Adib and other rescuers from the Subang Jaya Emergency Response System unit were deployed to the temple to put out fires set on vehicles by rioters who had gathered to protest the relocation plans for the temple.
Adib was dragged out of the vehicle by a mob and assaulted.
These events and developments happened against the backdrop of heated debate and controversy on the ICERD between proponents from both sides of the political divide. The result was political temperatures being raised to boiling point.
The potent brew of religion and race was on full display by the mosque and street demonstrations across the country, culminating in the 812 anti-ICERD rally. The dust from that rally was just settling when we were jolted by news of Adib’s death.
With it comes the spectre of another round of hate politics.
In an immediate response to Adib’s death, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail called for calm and assured that those responsible for his death would not go unpunished. She also reminded all Malaysians to stay calm and not to behave rashly.
The police have since reclassified the case as murder.
Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin labelled those who caused Adib’s death as terrorists and urged for swift punishment against them.
In a separate statement on Facebook, Federal Territories mufti Zulkifli Mohamad expressed hope that the tragedy would be justly resolved as soon as possible by the authorities.
Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajidi meanwhile issued a statement calling for Cabinet members P Waytha Moorthy, M Kulasegaran, Gobind Singh Deo and Xavier Jaykumar, along with Selangor exco V Ganabatirau, to be charged with incitement in the temple riot.
Ibrahim Ali, the president of Malay rights group Perkasa, reiterated his previous call for the government to set up an immediate Royal Commission of Inquiry to determine those responsible for Adib’s death.
In the wake of all this, we can expect that Indian leaders, including the four mentioned by Asyraf, will once again be vilified and condemned by Malay ultras and vocal rightists.
It is always easy to lose sight of reason and the need for calm deliberations in the face of a tragic situation. Members of the Malay community need to invoke the name of God and say it in their hearts that this is the time for sober reflection, not inflammatory emotions.
While we are all justifiably saddened and angered to learn of Adib’s death and the incident that led to it, we need to recognise that it was an isolated and senseless act committed by extremist elements in the predominantly Hindu-Indian crowd. It should not be interpreted as a racial or religious act by Hindus or Indians, nor as an act condoned, encouraged or sanctioned by the Indian community.
Let the villains be severely punished for this heinous crime, but let us not apportion blame on the Indian community as a whole. Let us not go on a witch hunt or an expedition to release pent-up anger on innocent people. Let us instead pursue justice for Adib, his family, his fiancee and his friends, calmly and in accordance with the law.
Yes, let us as Malay Muslims be very measured and circumspect in our reaction to this tragedy, which will make us worthy as true believers of Islam, a religion of mercy and blessings to mankind.
Malay Muslims must remember his reminder: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Quran 21:107)
We can expect religious bigots and racial chauvinists to go on overdrive to incite and provoke the Malay Muslims.
However, the public must remain vigilant and mindful of such toxic and divisive politics.
Adib’s death should not be in vain. It should open the hearts and minds of all Malaysians to realise that there is indeed no room for extremist elements from any side of the political divide.
The need to preserve national unity and racial harmony is paramount if we are to survive as a peaceful and prosperous nation. There is enough for all and everybody in this bountiful and blessed country of ours.
The Indians and the Chinese have to be guided by wisdom and what is possible in speaking for their rights. The better approach is by way of a gentler and more friendly manner so that the Malay Muslims will not see it as an exercise to challenge them or as an affront to their rights and privileges.
The Malay Muslims too need to open up and be more receptive to the new narratives under Malaysia Baru, where Pakatan Harapan will serve as the government responsible for all Malaysians – a government guided by a system of social justice which will ensure no Malaysians are deprived of their rights and entitlements.
We need to move towards being a truly egalitarian society with the rule of law as the foundation of justice. Let the Malaysian sun shine brightly for all Malaysians irrespective of colour, creed or race. After all, the Malay Muslims know too well that there is no room for racism in Islam. All that is needed is for them to put it into practice.
Wan Haron Wan Hassan is a senior practising lawyer, active in civil society movements.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.