Bukit Aman reviewing probe into Zara Qairina's death
PETALING JAYA : Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun says Bukit Aman is reviewing the investigation into the death of religious school student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died after being found unconscious in a drain near her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah.
The 13-year-old Form One student was found at 4am on July 16 after she allegedly fell from the third floor of her school's hostel.
In a Bernama report today, Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said police were not ruling out the possibility that the teen was bullied.
'We have taken this investigation to Bukit Aman for their final review before it is referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers,' he said after an event at the state police headquarters in Kota Kinabalu.
'We have left it to Bukit Aman, being the higher authority, to provide further views regarding the case.'
Jauteh said police are still investigating Zara Qairina's death and have recorded statements from around 60 witnesses, including students, parents and school officials, as part of their probe.
He added that counselling experts were assisting the police by helping traumatised students provide clear statements about Zara Qairina's death.
'Some of the witnesses are also students of the school. If we conduct the investigation in an unprofessional or irregular manner, this will certainly add to their trauma over the death.'
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek yesterday said her ministry is prioritising the case and assured the public that a fair and transparent investigation would be carried out to ensure justice is served.
She also said her ministry's officials have given their full cooperation to the police in its ongoing investigation.
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