They should be suspended, not relocated, says DAP
Published on: Fri, Aug 15, 2025 Text Size: Chan emphasised the need for a zero-tolerance approach to any perception of interference or undue influence on witnesses, students, or school staff, adding that the safety, dignity and justice for students must take precedence over administrative convenience. Kota Kinabalu: Dapsy Sabah has called on the Education Ministry (MOE) to immediately suspend the principal, senior assistant for student affairs and wardens of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in connection with the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir, instead of merely relocating them. Its chief, Chan Loong Wei, said the officers have been temporarily assigned to the Sabah State Education Department (JPN Sabah) pending investigation, but stressed that suspension is a more urgent and necessary measure to ensure the probe is conducted independently and without interference. 'Mere relocation is not enough. These officers must be suspended until investigations are completed and they are proven innocent. 'Allowing individuals under investigation to remain in active positions, even at different locations, risks eroding public confidence in the integrity of the investigation process,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. Chan emphasised the need for a zero-tolerance approach to any perception of interference or undue influence on witnesses, students, or school staff, adding that the safety, dignity and justice for students must take precedence over administrative convenience. He noted that suspension during investigations is standard practice in serious cases, particularly those involving the death of a student. He also reiterated Dapsy Sabah's solidarity with the victim's family and the people of Sabah in demanding accountability and transparency. 'Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,' Chan said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[UPDATED] Several to face charges over bullying of late Zara Qairina](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fzaraajusge_1755500901.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Several to face charges over bullying of late Zara Qairina](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Several to face charges over bullying of late Zara Qairina
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) will charge several individuals over the bullying of Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13. The A-GC said the decision was made based on investigation papers submitted by police. "Based on available evidence, we have decided to charge several suspects involved in the bullying of Zara Qairina," it said. "This will not affect police investigations into Zara Qairina's death, including the inquest proceedings that will take place in court." On Aug 13, the A-GC ordered an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina in accordance with Subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The A-GC said this was to determine the cause and manner of death, including whether there were any criminal elements. The Coroner's Court in Kota Kinabalu fixed 19 days from Sept 3 for the inquest proceedings. Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that bullying, negligence and sexual harassment were angles police probed in their investigation into the death of Zara Qairina. Zara Qairina was found unconscious on July 16, believed to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory building. She was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital. On July 31, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said bullying had not been ruled out. Her grave was later exhumed for a post-mortem and an inquest.
Malay Mail
14 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
AGC: Bullying suspects in Zara Qairina case to face charges, inquest will still go ahead
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) today said it has decided to charge several suspects involved in the bullying of late student Zara Qairina Mahathir. It said the decision was made after reviewing investigation papers referred by the police. 'The decision to proceed with charges in relation to the bullying offence was made on the basis that the charges will not interfere with the inquest proceedings that are to be held,' it said in a statement here. It added that the decision to charge the suspects would not affect the ongoing investigation into Zara Qairina's death, and the inquest proceedings would continue to take place in court. Earlier today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the investigation into the death centres on three key elements, namely bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment. He said the police had also submitted their investigation papers to the AGC after taking statements from 195 witnesses. The Coroner's Court in Kota Kinabalu also today fixed September 3 for the start of the inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir to determine any criminal elements. Lawyer for the family Hamid Ismail said that the inquest will be heard before coroner judge Azreena Aziz and could involve up to 195 witnesses, though the final number will be determined by the Attorney General's Chambers. Last week, the AGC decided to hold an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police. The inquest will be conducted under subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593). The death of the 13-year-old SMKA Tun Mustapha student in Papar, Sabah after an alleged bullying incident has sparked public outrage nationwide and renewed calls for safer schools. Zara Qairina was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17 after being found severely injured and unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4am on July 16.
Daily Express
14 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Several suspects to be charged over Zara Qairina bullying case
Published on: Monday, August 18, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: PETALING JAYA: Several suspects believed to have bullied Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose death sparked national outrage, will be charged in court, the Attorney-General's Chambers said. In a statement, the AGC said the decision to haul these suspects to court was to ensure it did not disrupt the inquest into the teenager's death. The AGC's decision to charge these people comes an hour after Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that the probe into Zara's death revealed elements of bullying, neglect and sexual harassment. Saifuddin said these elements were uncovered after recording statements from 195 witnesses, including her hostel mates, adding that the signs of bullying were 'clear'. Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. Last week, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said that the case, initially classified as sudden death, is now being investigated for possible criminal elements, including bullying. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
