Zara Qairina's death: Umno backs A-GC's decision for full inquest

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has expressed disappointment over the police's handling of the case involving the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described the handling of the case as "extremely weak" and said it failed to follow normal procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as acknowledged by the police, which the party found deeply disappointing.
"Umno is deeply saddened and affected by the tragic death of the late Zara Qairina.
"The handling of this case, which appears to have been extremely weak and failed to comply with normal procedures and SOPs, as acknowledged by the police, is deeply disappointing," he said at a press conference after the party's supreme council meeting last night.
Asyraf said the party fully supports the Attorney-General's Chambers' decision to conduct a full inquest to determine the cause and circumstances of her death, including whether criminal elements were involved.
He added that Umno hopes the inquest will be carried out independently and transparently, in line with legal provisions, to ensure full justice for the late Zara Qairina.
The A-GC ordered an inquest into Zara Qairina's death following an investigation report submitted by the police on Monday.
Subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code empowers a magistrate (or coroner) to hold an inquest when there is reason to suspect that a death was sudden, unnatural, or occurred under suspicious circumstances.
Zara Qairina, who was found unconscious after allegedly falling from her school dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Sabah, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital at 11am on July 17.