Police to reopen probe into Wan Ahmad Faris' death
This is according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who touched on the case in his winding-up speech of the 13th Malaysia Plan at the Dewan Rakyat earlier today.
'Now the family of Faris has...
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Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Charges against Zara's alleged bullies could change with new evidence, says minister
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the inquest is to establish the cause of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir's death and not to find fault. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Charges against the five teenage girls for allegedly verbally bullying Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir may be amended if new evidence emerges, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today. He said it was not unusual for charges to be amended during the course of proceedings. 'Of course, the charges can be amended. It's a normal part of the legal process. Sometimes the accused is initially charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code (for murder), which is later reduced to Section 304 (for culpable homicide not amounting to murder). 'That's how the process works,' he said when winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat for his ministry. He was responding to a question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) on whether the charges could be revised should new evidence surface during the inquest into Zara's death. Saifuddin said the inquest was intended to establish the cause of Zara's death and that it was not an exercise in finding fault. Earlier today, the five teenagers were charged in the children's court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with verbally abusing Zara, who died last month. They were charged with uttering abusive words against the victim which could have caused her distress. They are accused of committing the offence at Block A-3-6 of SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Limauan, Papar, between 10pm and 11pm on July 15. 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 I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu the following day. Her body was exhumed on Aug 9 to allow for a post-mortem amid allegations of bullying. The Attorney-General's Chambers yesterday defended its decision to charge the five teenagers, clarifying that the charges under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code related specifically to acts of bullying and were not connected to Zara's death. The AGC also dismissed a suggestion by lawyers representing Zara's family that further investigations or an inquest could later justify a more serious charge under Section 507D(2), saying this was 'speculative and not supported by accurate facts'. The lawyers had urged the AGC to postpone the charges against the five minors.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Zara Qairina case first prosecution under new anti-bullying law
KUALA LUMPUR: The case involving Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir marks the first prosecution under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed the historic legal application. He stated the amendment involving Sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code strengthened legal provisions against acts of bullying. Saifuddin Nasution revealed that since the amendment was enforced on July 11, police had opened 11 investigation papers related to bullying. 'These investigation papers fall under Sections 507B, 507C and so on,' he said. 'This shows that the strengthening of the law has enabled the police to take action.' He made these remarks while winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan for the Home Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat. The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar). Syed Saddiq had raised the issue of the police's allegedly slow response in investigating bullying cases. The Penal Code (Amendment) 2025 Act and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2025 Act were passed in December 2024. These acts aim to address bullying more effectively and comprehensively, including cyberbullying. Earlier today, five teenage girls were charged in the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu. They were charged 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. This section carries a penalty of up to one year's imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry wanted the police to act swiftly in investigating every reported case of bullying. He also reminded all parties not to play up sentiments or create inaccurate impressions. '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,' he said. He expressed that the police's diligence was overshadowed by one perceived failure to conduct a post-mortem. 'Aug 4 was the first time the police submitted the investigation papers to the AG (Attorney General),' he explained. 'On Aug 3, Zara's mother had lodged a police report after noticing bruises while bathing Zara's body.' He confirmed that the investigation papers submitted to the AG recommended that Zara's grave be exhumed. Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital on July 17. She was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel a day earlier. Several other ministries also wound up debates on the 13MP motion for their respective ministries. - Bernama
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Police reopen investigation into Wan Ahmad Faris death case
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed the Royal Malaysia Police will reopen the investigation into the death of tahfiz student Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman. The case dates back to December 2013 when the student was found dead at Maahad Tahfiz Sains Nurul Aman in Kok Lanas, Kelantan. Saifuddin stated that police face no obstacles in reopening the investigation since the original 2013 case file remains complete. He revealed this information during his winding up speech for the 13th Malaysia Plan motion in the Dewan Rakyat. The minister explained that while the 2013 investigation concluded with a 'no further action' directive from the Deputy Public Prosecutor, the police can now review the papers. Saifuddin confirmed he has discussed the matter with the Criminal Investigation Department director regarding potential barriers to case review. The police have indicated no problem with reopening the investigation due to the completeness of documentation. Wan Ahmad Faris, a Form Four student, was found hanging in his dormitory toilet at the religious school. His body was discovered by the dormitory supervisor after detecting a foul odor from the facility. Forensic experts initially performed an autopsy and classified the case as sudden death without criminal elements. However, the Coroner's Court ruled differently in June 2016, finding that his death resulted from actions of an unknown individual. The family recently submitted a formal request to Bukit Aman police seeking case reinvestigation. This development follows ongoing family efforts to seek justice for their son's death. The case has drawn public attention to safety protocols in religious educational institutions. The Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled to resume tomorrow. - Bernama
