In Malaysia, a firefighter’s death threatens to set off long-standing racial tensions

Muhammad Adib, 24, succumbed to injuries sustained last month when he responded to clashes over the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple

His death has sparked calls for the sacking of national unity minister P. Waythamoorthy

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A journalist walks by a burnt car that was flipped upside down during a riot at the Seafields temple. Photo: EP

Published: 7:31pm, 18 Dec 2018Updated: 9:45pm, 18 Dec 2018

The death of Malay firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim – who succumbed to injuries sustained last month when he responded to clashes over the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple – has threatened to set alight Malaysia’s racial tinderbox.

Calls for national unity minister P. Waythamoorthy to resign are growing and an online petition demanding Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sack the minister currently has more than 216,000 signatures. Waythamoorthy has not commented publicly on the matter.

Adib, 24, had been hospitalised since November 27, after he was allegedly attacked by several rioters on the second day of unrest at Seafield Sri Maha Maariamman Temple.

The petition claimed Waythamoorthy had defamed Malaysia’s image by claiming ethnic Indians were discriminated against, insisting on ratifying a United Nations non-discrimination treaty despite strong opposition from the majority Malay race, and failing to control interethnic tensions despite being given the mandate to do so.

Malays and indigenous Malaysians make up 69.1 per cent of the country’s population, according to its statistics department.

Opposition members from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the Islamist Party of Malaysia (PAS) have also called for Waythamoorthy’s head, claiming he had worsened the fallout from the temple riots.

On Twitter, democracy icon and prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim urged the public to remain united and ensure that no opportunists hijacked the tragedy to sow hatred.