
Zara Qairina case: No one to be protected
09 Aug 2025 09:20pm
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance that the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah will be investigated transparently without protecting anyone. Photo by Bernama
KOTA BHARU - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance that the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah will be investigated transparently without protecting anyone.
He said the case should not be taken lightly, especially as various allegations have emerged, including that the victim had fallen, been pushed, or bullied.
"Our child in Sabah has died; some say she fell, some say she was pushed, some say it was due to bullying. We do not take this lightly, and we do not want it to be turned into political fodder.
"Our instructions are clear - no compromise, regardless of whose child it is, whether the child of a minister or anyone else, I don't care,' he said at the Rancakkan Madani Kelantan Programme at USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, here today.
The Prime Minister said he had contacted Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the investigation is carried out fairly.
"I asked whether there were any mistakes in the investigation into Zara Qairina's case. If there were, take action. This is a death. Regardless of whether it is the child of the poor or the rich, in the mountains, on land or at sea, we will pay attention because the investigation must be conducted transparently. I am saddened because she could have been my child or grandchild.
"Due to suspicions, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has ordered the exhumation of the body for a second post-mortem," he said.
He said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar has also been instructed to go to Sabah to monitor the investigation to prevent any perception that certain parties are being protected.
"This is the Madani government; we will not protect murderers," he added. The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir has shocked the nation amid growing outrage over suspected bullying at her school in Papar, Sabah.
Today, Zara Qairina's body was exhumed to complete the investigation into the student's death following the AGC's directive yesterday.
Yesterday, the AGC, in a statement, said Zara Qairina's remains needed to be exhumed to enable a post-mortem to be carried out on the student's body.
The AGC is of the view that further investigation is necessary for the police to ensure all aspects of the case can be examined thoroughly.
Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17.
The student had been taken to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of a religious school in Papar at 4am on July 16. - BERNAMA
More Like This
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
17 minutes ago
- The Star
Post-mortem on toddler found signs of abuse, say T'ganu cops
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police say there are clear signs of abuse in the death of a 23-month-old boy in Kampung Banggol, Manir here on Saturday (Aug 9). Terengganu police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin (pic) said a post-mortem found bleeding in the head and bruises all over the victim's body. He said the boy's biological father and stepmother, along with a doctor and nurse from Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, have given their statements. ALSO READ: Toddler dies, allegedly abused by father, stepmother The incident occurred at home, where only the victim, the suspects, and the victim's three-year-old brother were present. "Investigations found the suspects, who have been married for six months and keep to themselves, were linked to the case,' he said on Monday (Aug 11). Earlier, Comm Khairi had attended the handing over of duties ceremony to Terengganu's new deputy police chief, Senior Asst Comm Suffian Sulaiman, formerly chief of the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters Management Department. Comm Khairi said police are awaiting a full medical report before submitting the investigation paper to the deputy public prosecutor. A health check on the victim's brother, now under the Social Welfare Department's care, found no signs of abuse, he added. The victim's biological father, 27, and stepmother, 30, have been remanded for seven days to help with investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. – Bernama


New Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Mimi Lana: We must go all out against bullying
KUALA LUMPUR: Angered by the growing number of student deaths from bullying, actress Mimi Lana has urged Malaysians to take a strong stand against this "crime against humanity". In a Threads post yesterday, the Mencari Ramlee star highlighted the tragic death of student Zara Qairina in Sabah, saying that it proves bullying is rapidly becoming a serious social problem. Mimi, 30, mentioned that she frequently sees viral videos on social media showing students being bullied. "Bullying is a serious threat to the country that can no longer be ignored," she wrote. "On my FYP (For You Page on TikTok), I've seen more than 10 videos recorded by bullies from different schools. My heart is shattered, as are the hearts of so many parents who have lost their children, their hope for the future. These monsters must pay!" Mimi called on the government to treat bullying as a national threat to well-being, on par with other violent crimes. "We must have an all-out war against bullying. I salute the thousands who recently showed solidarity with the victims; we must ensure this never happens again." She concluded her message with the hashtags #JusticeForZara, along with other anti-bullying slogans like Stop Bullying, Save Our Children, and Justice For All Victims. Last Saturday, thousands of people gathered in major towns across Sabah to demand justice for Zara Qairina, a Form One student whose death has caused a nationwide outcry. The rallies took place hours after the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) announced that Zara's grave would be exhumed for a second post-mortem. Zara's body was found on the ground floor of her religious school dormitory in Papar on July 16, and she was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged a full and transparent investigation, saying that "no one is above the law."


The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
New Penal Code amendments tackle online bullying and harassment
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. - BERNAMA PUTRAJAYA: The government has amended the Penal Code to strengthen laws against bullying, harassment, insults, and identity misuse, particularly online. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said confirmed the changes under the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025. The amendments, approved by the King on Feb 25 and gazetted on March 7, introduce new sections 507B to 507G. These provisions specifically target bullying through any means, including digital platforms. Azalina stated that the updated law covers harassment, threats, insults, and identity misuse, including cases linked to suicide attempts. Offenders could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines, or both. She urged citizens to familiarise themselves with the new laws, now in effect. The public is advised to seek clarification from the Legal Affairs Division or the Legal Aid Department. Azalina emphasised that ignorance of the law is not a valid defence. She called on ministries, agencies, and organisations to update employees on legal changes and ensure compliance. A clear understanding of rights and responsibilities is key to fostering a safer society, she added. - Bernama