Zara Qairina probe found elements of bullying, neglect, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR : Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that the probe into the death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir revealed elements of bullying, neglect and sexual harassment.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that these elements were uncovered after recording statements from 195 witnesses, including her hostel mates.
'Yes, there are elements of bullying. That is clear.
'There are also elements of neglect as she (Zara) had complained to the school. So the police are looking into the latter,' he said.
Saifuddin added that police had collected evidence, including Zara's diary.
'Her diary entries give us a glimpse into the problems she was enduring,' he said.
'We opened her diary, we read what she wrote. We know her last movements, where she was at 11pm, 10pm what happened in the dorm, at 1am where she was.
'All of that is corroborative evidence. It is important because it establishes her level of thought, her mental process at the time.'
He also said that there was no cover-up in the investigation.
Likewise, he said there was no truth to claims that Zara's death was linked to high-profiled individuals or that she had been shoved into a washing machine.
'Claims of attempted cover-ups and manipulation are very serious allegations which do not reflect the reality on the ground in terms of what the authorities have been doing,' he said.
He added that the suspected non-compliance with standard operating procedures during the initial investigation had not impacted the integrity of the probe.
'The investigation paper on Zara's case was submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers this morning,' he said.
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 the following day.
Last week, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said that the case, initially classified as sudden death, was now being investigated for possible criminal elements, including bullying.
Saifuddin had decided to address Zara's case at the lower house as it was frequently brought up by MPs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Five teenage girls to be charged for uttering threats to Zara Qairina
KUALA LUMPUR: Five teenage girls, who are expected to be charged this Wednesday in connection with the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, will face charges of issuing threats by using words deemed threatening in nature. Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, when contacted, confirmed that all five, who are below 18, will be charged under Section 507c(1) of the Penal Code. Dusuki said the girls would be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court, where proceedings are usually conducted behind closed doors. "Five people will be charged this Wednesday at the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court, Sabah, for offences linked to the bullying case involving the late Zara Qairina. They are all under the age of 18," he said. Earlier today, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), in a statement, confirmed that it had reviewed the police investigation papers and decided to charge several individuals involved in the bullying case based on the available evidence. The A-GC said the decision to press charges for the bullying offence would not affect the inquest proceedings into the death of the 13-year-old student, which will be conducted in court. It stressed that despite the bullying charges being filed, police investigations into Zara Qairina's death would continue, including the inquest proceedings. Zara Qairina, a student of SMKA Tun Mustapha, was found unconscious at her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Zara Qairina's mother refused post-mortem to ease daughter's suffering
Saifuddin clarified that Noraidah's signature on the declaration rejecting post-mortem did not place her in a position of blame. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail - Photo by Bernama SHAH ALAM – In her grief, Noraidah Lamat stood firm in her decision — she wanted her daughter, Zara Qairina Mahathir, to be laid to rest without delay. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that the police asked Noraidah once about conducting a post-mortem on July 17, a day after the tragedy. Yet, he said the mother did not want the procedure. 'The investigating officer met the victim's mother and informed her of the need to carry out a post-mortem. At the time, the mother said she wanted to expedite the burial as her child had already suffered enough. 'Here, the police admitted that there was non-compliance with investigation procedures on the part of the officer concerned. 'When the officer informed the mother, she refused and insisted on proceeding with the burial. The doctor on duty at the mortuary at 5pm again met with the mother, but she maintained her decision,' he said during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. The investigation into the tragic death of form one student Zara Qairina Mahathir centres on three key elements, namely bullying, neglect and sexual harassment. Zara Qairina, a Form One student, was believed to have fallen from the third floor of a religious boarding school building on July 16. She was found unconscious in a nearby drain and later died while receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQEI). Her death drew nationwide concern, amid allegations of bullying involving senior students at the school. Saifuddin added that Noraidah later signed a declaration letter to formally reject the post-mortem, witnessed by her sister-in-law. 'The decision was made based on the mother's wishes and was documented legally. 'The investigating officer fully respected (the mother's request) at that time. 'According to the Criminal Procedure Code, it is considered non-compliant and the police will take internal action,' he said. During the Dewan Rakyat session, Saifuddin clarified that Noraidah's signature on the declaration did not place her in a position of blame. 'Far from suggesting that the mother's signing of the declaration placed her in a position of blame, I was merely stating the fact that the investigating officer erred and his intention was to ease the mother's burden and expedite the burial process. 'However, that action will not be defended and the Criminal Investigation Department has decided to take follow-up action,' he said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Five minors to face charges in Zara Qairina bullying case
KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar has confirmed that five minors will face charges in the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court this Wednesday. The charges relate to the bullying case involving Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. 'Yes, all of those who will be charged are under the age of 18,' he told Bernama today. The teenagers will be prosecuted under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code. This section covers offences involving threatening, abusive, or insulting words or communication. The case has drawn significant public attention due to its severity. Legal experts highlight the importance of addressing bullying through proper judicial processes. The Attorney-General's statement ensures accountability in this high-profile incident. - Bernama
