Bersatu Sabah condemns police failure, calls for independent inquest

Borneo Post

4 days ago

Rahimah
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 9): Bersatu Sabah Women chief Rahimah Majid has issued a scathing condemnation of the police over their gross failure to professionally and impartially investigate the suspicious death of 13-year-old student, Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Rahimah said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have failed the most basic test of their duty — to investigate a sudden and suspicious death thoroughly, fairly, and without delay.
'For almost three weeks after Zara's death, no meaningful investigation took place. No post-mortem was conducted. Her personal belongings, including her clothing, were returned to the family without any forensic examination. Until today, no transparent report has been released. This is an outrageous breach of duty,' she lambasted.
She stressed that these glaring lapses violate Sections 329 and 300 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which clearly require a post-mortem and full investigation in any unnatural death.
Rahimah also noted that the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) recently returned the preliminary investigation report to the police for further action and completion, along with specific instructions on matters still requiring investigation.
'If the police had done their job properly from the start, the AGC would not need to send the file back. This is a clear sign that something is seriously wrong with the way this case has been handled,' she charged.
Calling the failure inexcusable, Rahimah demanded that the case be immediately removed from the current police team and reassigned to an independent, professional and experienced investigative unit.
She also called for immediate disciplinary and legal action against the officers responsible for what she described as a serious dereliction of duty.
'In Zara's case, the police did not just fail — they abandoned their duty. This is not a procedural oversight. It is a betrayal of public trust,' she said.
Rahimah said the only way to restore public confidence and uncover the truth is through a full, independent inquest.
'An inquest will allow a transparent, impartial, and thorough examination of the facts. Without it, the truth will remain buried, justice will be denied, and public trust in our justice system will continue to erode,' she stressed.
She urged the government to convene the inquest without delay, warning that continued inaction would only fuel public suspicion of a cover-up.
Rahimah also questioned whether the school had effective systems to monitor bullying and whether complaints from students or parents were taken seriously and acted upon.
'The school must be held accountable for its role, or lack thereof. Immediate reforms are needed in how student welfare and discipline are managed,' she said.
She urged the Ministry of Education to enact urgent, nationwide reforms, including:
· Law-backed anti-bullying policies in all schools.
· Continuous staff training on prevention and intervention.
· A government-led framework that prioritises student voices, early intervention, and parental involvement.
· A national oversight body to enforce accountability of school authority.
As a mother, Rahimah also urged parents to remain vigilant and responsive to any signs of emotional distress in their children.
'Sudden withdrawal, fear of going to school, persistent sadness — these are not just phases. They are cries for help and must be taken seriously. Parents must engage with schools, file official complaints if necessary, and seek professional counselling. Early action can save lives,' she said.
'Zara's life mattered. Her death must not be swept aside by silence, incompetence, or inaction. We demand accountability from the police, the school, and all responsible parties. Justice for Zara must prevail — not just for her, but for every child at risk,' Rahimah concluded.