Police interview 60 people over Papar school tragedy
Published on: Thu, Jul 31, 2025
By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Police have interviewed 60 individuals, including students, parents, and school staff, as part of the investigation into the death of student Zara Qairina, who was found after a fall from a school building in Papar. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun ( pic ) said the investigation is nearing completion and has been submitted to Bukit Aman for further review before being referred to the Attorney General's Chambers. He said student witnesses were supported by counsellors during questioning due to the emotional impact of the incident. Jauteh also addressed and dismissed claims that his children were enrolled at the school, stressing that the case is being handled without bias towards anyone's background. He added that police are focusing on identifying the cause of death and surrounding circumstances, with all possible factors, including bullying, still under careful assessment. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
IGP: Stop uploading, sharing unverified information related to Sabah student Zara Qairina's death
Mohd Khalid said police have detected the spread of information and a child's pictures linked to the Zara Qairina case by irresponsible parties on social media. — Malay Mail photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 7): The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is urging all parties to stop any action of uploading or sharing unverified information related to the death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Inspector-general of police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police have detected the spread of information and a child's pictures linked to the Zara Qairina case by irresponsible parties on social media. He stated that the shared information is inaccurate and has the potential to confuse the public, besides potentially affecting the ongoing investigation and hindering the process of justice for all involved. 'The entire investigation process for the case, including the post-mortem issue, is being conducted according to existing procedures and legal provisions, and all parties are advised to stop any action of uploading or sharing unverified information, including disclosing information related to the case investigation,' he said in a statement last night. Mohd Khalid said the act of disclosing information related to the case can be investigated under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001, which involves a prohibition on revealing the identity, address, school name, and pictures of the child involved, as well as Section 203A of the Penal Code for offenses related to the disclosure of information. 'The individuals involved can also be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of a network facility or network service. Adherence to the law is the basis of national peace and well-being. Any violation will be met with firm action in accordance with existing provisions,' he said. Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed to have died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on July 17. The student was taken to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at 4 am on July 16. The investigation into the case is currently being finalised by the police after being returned by the Attorney-General's Chambers on Tuesday. — Bernama lead Mohd Khalid Ismail Zara Qairina Mahathir
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Lawyers hope new AGC move brings clarity in Zara Qairina case
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 Text Size: Shahlah (left) and Hamid. KOTA KINABALU: Lawyers for the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir have welcomed the Attorney General's Chambers' (AGC) decision to return the preliminary investigation report to the police with directives for further action. The legal team, led by Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri, expressed hope that the move will help uncover the truth and bring justice for Zara. Advertisement They said the development aligns with one of four key requests outlined in their letter to the Attorney General dated 5 August. The lawyers also hope the AGC's directives cover three specific proposals they submitted in the letter. These include an investigation by experienced officers from Bukit Aman, the exhumation of Zara's body for a post-mortem, and a formal inquest to determine whether criminal elements were involved. They added that Zara's mother, Noraida Lamat, would be handing over her mobile phone to police this evening at the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters in Kepayan. Advertisement The device reportedly contains several recorded conversations between her and her late daughter that may assist the investigation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Zara Qairina's mum to give phone with audio clips to Kota Kinabalu police
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — The mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir will submit her mobile phone containing audio recordings of conversations with her daughter to investigators at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters today. Lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri, who represent 45-year-old Noraidah Lamat, said the move aims to assist police in completing their investigation following the return of the investigation papers by the Attorney General's Chambers yesterday, Sinar Harian reported. "We thank the Attorney General's Chambers for returning the initial full investigation report related to Zara's death to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) yesterday, along with instructions to complete several specific matters before further action is taken," the lawyers said in a joint statement. The lawyers also expressed hope that the return of the investigation papers would be followed by the steps requested in a letter they sent to Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar. "This action aligns with one of the four requests we made in the 5 August 2025 letter to the Attorney General," they added. They further urged that the other three requests be included in the instructions — namely, that the case be handled by an experienced investigator from Bukit Aman, that Zara's grave be exhumed for a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death, and that an inquest be held to assess whether there was criminal involvement. Zara Qairina, 13, reportedly fell from the third floor of her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day, amid widespread public concern over allegations that her death may have involved school bullying and a cover-up.
