PM wants swift, transparent probe into Zara Qairina's death
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): The death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir has drawn the attention of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who stressed that investigations must be conducted transparently and thoroughly.
The prime minister said he had discussed the matter with Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the probe is conducted swiftly and comprehensively.
'There was a death recently, and the Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) is being attacked and accused of various things. What has become of our country? This death is not a trivial matter,' he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 here today.
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Anwar also reminded the public not to make speculations or accusations without evidence, emphasising that Malaysia is a nation founded on the rule of law.
'This is a nation of law, not slander. Whoever is involved in a criminal act such as murder will not be protected,' Anwar said.
Zara Qairina, 13, was believed to have fallen from the third floor and was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16.
She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital here on July 17. The student's death quickly went viral, sparking widespread public reaction on social media.
Yesterday, Mohd Khalid said the investigation paper regarding Zara Qairina's death had been completed and would be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers for further action. – Bernama Anwar Ibrahim investigation viral Zara Qairina Mahathir
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Malay Mail
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This is precisely where Anwar's lifetime of work in fostering interfaith dialogue and regional understanding becomes invaluable. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's civilisational positioning of Malaysia as a bridge nationhas become a model of peaceful coexistence in an increasingly fractured global order. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin His leadership in convening the ASEAN–GCC Summit, coupled with China's active participation in the ASEAN–GCC–China Summit, represents a defining moment of dialogical diplomacy. These summits were not merely symbolic. They brought together diverse civilisational blocs — Southeast Asia, the Gulf and East Asia — into a single framework of cooperation grounded in mutual respect, shared values and an agenda for peace and development. That such a summit could take place under Malaysia's chairmanship, with Anwar at the helm, reflects his profound ability to orchestrate dialogue at a civilisational scale. 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In that spirit, we submit that Anwar Ibrahim's Nobel-worthiness lies not in a single ceasefire — though that alone is commendable — but in a life devoted to the ethics of dialogue. A prize bestowed upon him would be a recognition not only of his past, but a reinforcement of a model the world urgently needs: leadership rooted in humility, guided by wisdom, and committed to dialogue in the service of humanity. Let us not wait until history catches up. Let us recognise now what many already know: that Anwar Ibrahim represents the dialogical conscience of our time. * Emeritus Prof Dr Datuk Osman Bakar is the Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology and Civilisational Studies Rector at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Prof Dr Phar Kim Beng is professor of Asean Studies, IIUM and director, Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies (IINTAS). ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
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New Straits Times
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Malaysia condemns Israeli Zionist regime's plan to take over Gaza
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