Zara Qairina's death: 'I'd want the truth, even if my family's involved'

New Straits Times

18 hours ago

KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that investigations into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir will be conducted transparently and without compromise.
He said the case should not be taken lightly, but urged the public not to politicise it or make any speculation that could lead to slander.
He said that although some had linked the death of the 13-year-old girl to prominent figures, the investigation would still be carried out with full transparency.
"We do not take this lightly and our directive is clear; there will be no compromise.
"People are saying all sorts of things, claiming she is the daughter of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, or a minister - that is all talk.
"I don't care, but do not slander.
"The Malay proverb says, 'Don't build a palace over someone's grave.'
"This is a matter of death, it doesn't matter if it's the child of the poor or the rich, it's not a game.
"Even if it was my own family, I would certainly want to know the cause.
"I have instructed the Criminal Investigation Department chief in Kuala Lumpur (Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar) to personally monitor the case to prevent any issues.
"This is a Madani government - we do not protect anyone guilty of wrongdoing," he said when speaking at the 'Rancakkan Madani Kelantan' programme at the main hall of Universiti Sains Malaysia's Health Campus in Kubang Kerian today.
Anwar said he had no qualms if any revelations emerged following the post-mortem of the teenage girl.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
Yesterday, the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) directed the authorities to exhume the grave of the deceased, who had been buried after reportedly falling from a school dormitory building.
It said the move was among several instructions issued to enable a thorough investigation and to allow a post-mortem to be carried out on the remains.
After reviewing the full initial investigation report submitted by police, it found there was a need for further investigation to ensure all aspects of the case were examined comprehensively, it said.
Zara, was found unconscious after allegedly falling from her dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Sabah.
She was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQEI) on July 17.
It was reported that her family had requested an inquest to determine whether there was any criminal element involved in her death.
The exhumation of the deceased's grave is likely to be carried out today once the order is obtained.