Zara Qairina Case: Five Minors To Be Charged Wednesday In Bullying Incident – Attorney-general
'Yes, all of those who will be charged are under the age of 18,' he told Bernama today.
He said all the teenagers involved will be charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, relating to the offence of using or making any threatening, abusive, or insulting words or communication.
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Borneo Post
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Lawyers representing Zara Qairina Mahathir's family, led by Hamid (third left) are seen before entering the Children's Court for the bullying case charge against five teenagers. — Malay Mail photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): Lawyers acting for Noraidah Lamat, mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, have dismissed viral allegations that she was seeking donations for herself or to cover legal expenses. In a joint statement, the legal team confirmed that while a bank account number circulated online had previously been used to receive public contributions following Zara's death, the collection was halted shortly after. 'We state that our client is not currently collecting any donations, whether for herself or to pay our legal fees,' the statement said. It also explained that any contributions would only be accepted directly by Noraidah in person or via authorised representatives from non-governmental organisations. The lawyers further clarified that they are representing Noraidah on a pro bono basis, meaning free of charge. The statement was jointly signed by lawyers Hamid Ismail, Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasse. Yesterday, Datuk Ram Singh, the lawyer representing one of five teenagers charged in the bullying case also explained that the defence team is working pro bono. Five teenage girls were charged at the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu with using abusive words against the late Form 1 student Zara Qairina last month. Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad said that the charge against the five minors was for acting with common intention, allegedly uttered abusive words directed at Zara Qairina, which were heard by the victim and could have caused her distress. Sessions Judge Elsie Primus allowed bail of RM5,000 against the five minors in closed proceedings and set the pre-trial case management date to Sept 25 followed by Oct 16. The trial will be held on Dec 8-12, and Dec 15-19. The offence was allegedly committed at Block A-3-6 of the Rabiatul Adawiyah Dormitory at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan WDT 15, Papar, between 10pm and 11pm on July 15. The charge was framed under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries a maximum jail term of one year, or a fine, or both upon conviction. — Malay Mail Hamid Ismail lead Noraidah Lamat Zara Qairina Mahathir
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Saifuddin Nasution: Charges in Zara Qairina's case are the first under Malaysia's new anti-bullying law
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — The case involving Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir is the first to be prosecuted under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025, which stipulates bullying as a criminal offence, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the amendment involving Sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code strengthened the legal provisions against acts of bullying. Saifuddin Nasution said since the amendment to Section 507 of the Penal Code was enforced and gazetted on July 11, police had opened 11 investigation papers related to bullying. 'These investigation papers fall under Sections 507B, 507C and so on. This shows that the strengthening of the law has enabled the police to take action. 'Now, in the case of Zara, for example, in which the accused were charged today, it is under one of the amended sections, making this the first case we have prosecuted (since the amendment),' he said when winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the Home Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar), who raised the issue of the police's allegedly slow response in investigating bullying cases, including a recent case in Johor. The Penal Code (Amendment) 2025 Act and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2025 Act, aimed at addressing bullying more effectively and comprehensively, including cyberbullying, were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10, 2024, and in the Dewan Negara on Dec 16 the same year. Earlier today, five teenage girls were charged in the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with using insulting words against Zara Qairina. The charges were framed under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the Code, which carries a penalty of up to one year's imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. In line with this legal development, Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry wanted the police to act swiftly in investigating every reported case of bullying. At the same time, he reminded all parties not to play up sentiments or create inaccurate impressions as though there was an attempt to protect any individual or cover up matters. 'When I reviewed the chronology and sequence of the police investigation, with the large number of witness statements taken in detail, I also felt sad that, with all the police's diligence, simply because of one part where the police were said to have failed, (which was) to conduct a post-mortem. 'Aug 4 was the first time the police submitted the investigation papers to the AG (Attorney General), and on Aug 3, Zara's mother had lodged a police report after noticing bruises while bathing Zara's body. So at the same time, in the investigation papers submitted to the AG, we recommended that Zara's grave be exhumed,' he said. Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital on July 17, a day after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha di Papar. Meanwhile, apart from the Home Ministry, several other ministries also wound up debates on the 13MP motion for their respective ministries, including the National Unity Ministry. — Bernama
Malay Mail
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The Zara Qairina timeline: 195 witnesses, police disciplinary action, and questions that won't go away
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 21 — Five teenage girls pleaded not guilty in the Children's Court here yesterday to charges of using abusive words against Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir last month. The case was mentioned before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus in a closed proceeding. The court set the trial for Dec 8 to 12, Dec 15-19, while Sept 25 and Oct 16 were fixed for further mention and pre-trial case management. Below is the chronology of events in the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina, updated between July 16 and Aug 20: July 16 Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain near a school hostel in Papar at about 3 am. She was believed to have fallen from the third floor of the hostel before being rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE I) for treatment. July 17 Zara Qairina was confirmed dead at 1.07 pm at HQE I, and later buried at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery, Mesapol, Sipitang. July 18 Papar district police Chief Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said police were conducting further investigations and urged the public not to make any speculation that could disrupt the process and to respect the victim's family. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Ministry of Education (MoE) would fully cooperate with the authorities regarding the incident. July 28 Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said police were carrying out a thorough and transparent investigation, urging the public to remain calm and not make any speculation while waiting for updates. July 31 Jauteh said police had recorded statements from about 60 witnesses, including students, parents, and the school authorities. The investigation papers were sent to Bukit Aman for a final review before being referred to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). Aug 2 Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that police had completed their investigations. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the investigation papers would be submitted to the AGC. Aug 3 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the investigation must be transparent and thorough, assuring no one involved in the case would be protected. Fadhlina said MoE was committed to ensuring a comprehensive and transparent probe for the sake of everyone involved, assuring that there would be no delays from the ministry. Aug 4 AGC is reviewing the full preliminary investigation report received from the police. The report was received on Aug 3 at the Sabah branch and Aug 4 at its headquarters in Putrajaya. Aug 5 Saifuddin urged all parties to respect the legal process, stressing his ministry would not engage in polemics and would leave the investigation to the authorities. Aug 6 AGC returned the full preliminary investigation report to the police for completion before taking further action. Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed the report was sent back on Aug 5 with further instructions. Mohd Khalid said police had detected the circulation of inaccurate information and images linked to the case on social media, warning it could mislead the public and disrupt investigations. Aug 7 Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil urged the public to respect the ongoing investigation. He reiterated that the AGC and Mohd Khalid had issued reminders following the widespread circulation of various inaccurate content related to the case on social media. Aug 8 AGC said the full preliminary investigation report returned to the police included instructions to exhume Zara Qairina's remains for an autopsy. Aug 9 The police forensic team arrived at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery at 4.56 pm to exhume Zara Qairina's remains. The exhumation process was completed by 7.15 pm, and the remains were transported about 130 km to HQE I, arriving at 10.30 pm for post-mortem. Aug 10 Members of the public and media gathered at HQE I as early as 8 am for developments on the post-mortem. The autopsy concluded at 7.30 pm, and Zara Qairina was reburied at 1.15 am on Aug 11 at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor urged the public to allow the investigation and legal process to be carried out without interference. Aug 11 A nine-member Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team was sent to Sabah to take over the case. Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman instructed the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent probe. Aug 13 AGC decided to conduct an inquest to determine the cause of death after reviewing police investigation reports. Bukit Aman CID director Datuk M. Kumar said the case, initially classified as sudden death, would now be probed for possible criminal elements, including bullying. Aug 16 Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) opened a disciplinary investigation paper (KST) against a district police chief with the rank of Superintendent, a district CID chief with the rank of ASP, and an investigating officer with the rank of Inspector for suspected SOP breaches while investigating the case. Aug 17 Kumar said police had recorded statements from 195 witnesses, including students, teachers, medical officers, wardens, security guards, and parents. Bukit Aman CID would refer the investigation papers back to the AGC. Aug 18 The Coroner's Court here set Sept 3 to begin inquest proceedings into Zara Qairina's death. Mohd Dusuki confirmed five underage teenagers would be charged in the Children's Court on Aug 20 for bullying. Aug 19 AGC clarified that the five teenagers were charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code for bullying, and the charges were not linked to Zara Qairina's death. — Bernama
