Lawyers warn public against sharing rumours on Zara Qairina's case
In a joint statement, lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri said those with information should pass it to the police to assist with the investigation into the death of the 13-year-old.
The lawyers said a viral video of a woman claiming Zara was put into a washing machine is merely speculation. "Our client, Zara's mother, has never given such information to anyone. We appeal to the woman to provide the information to the police for the purpose of investigation," they said.
Zara, a Form 1 student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, was reportedly found to have fallen from a building and was discovered near a drain at about 3am on July 16. She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital at 1.07pm on July 17.
Hamid and Shahlan also said a viral image showing a chronology that claimed Zara was only brought to the hospital at 8am on July 16 was another piece of speculation.
The lawyers warned that sharing images of school students and posting negative comments about them on social media is a criminal offence under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001, and Sections 211 and 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
They also said that disseminating name lists containing students' personal information is a criminal offence under Section 130 of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
"Therefore, we urge that the circulation of the above matters on all social media platforms be stopped immediately," they said, adding that those who have engaged in such dissemination should delete the videos and images.
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New Straits Times
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- New Straits Times
Lawyer: No interference in Zara's post-mortem examination [WATCH]
KOTA KINABALU: The post-mortem examination of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) Forensic Department here, went smoothly without any interference. Lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who observed the procedure from 11am to 7.30pm at the request of the deceased's family, said he personally witnessed the entire process from start to finish. "I can say the post-mortem was carried out very well. There were no elements as alleged on social media, such as claims of certain 'hands' being involved. None of that happened. "I saw for myself how Zara was examined until the procedure was completed, including all the necessary steps," he told reporters at the HQE grounds. Shahlan added that once the post-mortem was completed, the forensic team would prepare the report within the timeframe set by the relevant authorities. On how long it would take, Shahlan said it was difficult to determine exactly, but the maximum could be up to two months. "If you ask how long the process will take, I can't say exactly. The fastest might be within a certain period, but at the latest, it could take two months. "This is because it involves several specialists, and all of them will discuss things before finalising the post-mortem report," he said. Commenting on the procedure itself, Shahlan said he saw the doctors conduct a thorough examination of Zara's remains. "In the forensic room, I saw exactly how the doctors examined her. It was done thoroughly. "Several police personnel were also present, but only I and the forensic team entered the examination room, as per the wishes of Zara's family," he said. Shahlan said the post-mortem was conducted by four specialists, including Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun, consultant pathologist at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang. They were assisted by a forensic photographer and a police photographer. Zara's remains were exhumed yesterday for a post-mortem to complete investigations into her death. She had originally been buried on July 17. The exhumation at Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang, was carried out following a magistrate's order via Zoom proceedings at the Papar police headquarters yesterday. After the post-mortem was completed, Zara's remains were taken back to Sipitang to be reburied at the same location. The Form One student was reported to have died at HQE a day after allegedly falling from the third floor of the dormitory building at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha,Kinarut, on July 16.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Lawyer: No interference in Zara's post-mortem examination
KOTA KINABALU: The post-mortem examination of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) Forensic Department here, went smoothly without any interference. Lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who observed the procedure from 11am to 7.30pm at the request of the deceased's family, said he personally witnessed the entire process from start to finish. "I can say the post-mortem was carried out very well. There were no elements as alleged on social media, such as claims of certain 'hands' being involved. None of that happened. "I saw for myself how Zara was examined until the procedure was completed, including all the necessary steps," he told reporters at the HQE grounds. Shahlan added that once the post-mortem was completed, the forensic team would prepare the report within the timeframe set by the relevant authorities. On how long it would take, Shahlan said it was difficult to determine exactly, but the maximum could be up to two months. "If you ask how long the process will take, I can't say exactly. The fastest might be within a certain period, but at the latest, it could take two months. "This is because it involves several specialists, and all of them will discuss things before finalising the post-mortem report," he said. Commenting on the procedure itself, Shahlan said he saw the doctors conduct a thorough examination of Zara's remains. "In the forensic room, I saw exactly how the doctors examined her. It was done thoroughly. "Several police personnel were also present, but only I and the forensic team entered the examination room, as per the wishes of Zara's family," he said. Shahlan said the post-mortem was conducted by four specialists, including Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun, consultant pathologist at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang. They were assisted by a forensic photographer and a police photographer. Zara's remains were exhumed yesterday for a post-mortem to complete investigations into her death. She had originally been buried on July 17. The exhumation at Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang, was carried out following a magistrate's order via Zoom proceedings at the Papar police headquarters yesterday. After the post-mortem was completed, Zara's remains were taken back to Sipitang to be reburied at the same location. The Form One student was reported to have died at HQE a day after allegedly falling from the third floor of the dormitory building at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha,Kinarut, on July 16.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Eight-hour autopsy on Zara completed
The police truck leaving the hospital for the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 10): The autopsy for Zara Qairina Mahathir took about eight hours to complete on Sunday evening. It was conducted by four pathologists, including Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun from Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang who arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I at 10.55am. The other three pathologists were from Queen Elizabeth Hospital I here, including Dr Jessie Hiu. The 13-year-old student's remains arrived at the hospital at 10.30pm on Saturday after being exhumed from the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang at 7.30pm. People waiting for the completion of post-mortem at Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1. Lawyer for the deceased's family, Shahlan Jufri, informed that the post-mortem was settled at around 7.30pm. He said the post-mortem process went well, and he denied the existence of 'shadow hands' meddling in the case as purported on social media. 'I myself saw the deceased examine from the beginning of the autopsy up until the end,' he told reporters outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (QEH) gate. Shahlan stressed that the autopsy was carried out transparently, and there were no oddities found. 'Don't believe all these speculations on social media,' he warned. On whether there were any criminal elements found, he could not reveal the confidential information as the investigation is still ongoing. 'Let us wait for the report and also from the court,' he said. Shahlan said according to past experiences, the autopsy report could take three weeks up to two months to be completed. He said this case especially would take some time as it involves discussions between several medical experts. However, he clarified that the report is not public document but classified. 'To get the post-mortem report, we would have to go to court for an inquest,' he said. After this, he said the next step will be discussions with the family and legal team. 'There is a big possibility that after the investigation is completed, we will request for an inquest,' he said. Meanwhile, he thanked the forensics team for working tirelessly during the autopsy process, as he noted that the pathologists did not even sit down throughout the entire process. The body of Zara was sent to the Tanjung Ubi Kampung Mesapol Islamic cemetery in Sipitang to be re-buried. A police truck carrying the body left the hospital compound at 9.24pm. Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Kasim Muda was spotted at the scene before the vehicle left. He prayed for a swift conclusion to the case. Earlier, a large crowd comprising the public had gathered outside the hospital gates since morning to wait for the post-mortem to complete. Many were seen livestreaming the scene from their mobile devices, while Hamid Ismail, another lawyer for Zara's family, also fielded questions from the public and curious netizens. They seemed to be in good spirits, with food and drinks sent by concerned citizens to the location as they waited despite shifting drizzles and heavy rain. Even a group of food delivery riders braved the rain to show support for Zara and her family, holding a placard which said '#JusticeForZaraQairina. Stop bullies.' Mohd Fazil Arifin, 30, and Reney Jamiul, 35, both from the district where Zara's school is located — used their breaks to join the vigil. Fazil, father to a 12-year-old daughter, voiced fears over unchecked bullying. 'This case hits close to home. We need bullies to know they can't act without consequence,' he said. Sipitang Member of Parliament Datuk Matbali Musah also came down to show his solidarity for the cause. Speaking to the media, he welcomed that many leaders have expressed their support for Zara and her family, from the grassroots to the top leadership. Matbali also reiterated the Prime Minister's assurance that no one is above the law, including in the investigation of this case. 'There is no compromise for whoever is involved. 'We need to prioritise this case to ensure it is investigated transparently,' he said. Kawang assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan was also spotted outside the hospital as a show of support.
