Family vindicated by court's fresh investigation order
In a statement released through the family's lawyer, Datuk Sankara Nair, Smit's uncle Fred Agenjo Weinhold said the family was 'very content' with the judge's decision that held four defendants liable over the negligence linked to the investigation.
'The money awarded is of no consequence. What is far more important is that we have received acknowledgement from Malaysia that we were not crazy for saying this for almost eight years.
'We won't get Ivana back, but at least we have the satisfaction of knowing that a new investigation has been ordered and the monsters responsible cannot rest easy,' he said.
Sankara commended the court for issuing exemplary and unprecedented mandamus orders, including the removal of Asst Supt Faizal Abdullah from the investigation, the formal reopening of the case, and a requirement for quarterly progress reports to be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), with the AGC mandated to take appropriate prosecutorial steps.
'These structural and supervisory remedies demonstrate the court's clear intent to ensure accountability is no longer delayed or denied,' said Sankara.
He also urged the AGC to consider the public interest, the suffering endured by the family and the integrity of the court's decision before deciding whether to appeal the judgment.
Yesterday, Justice Roz Mawar Rozain awarded RM1.1mil in general, aggravated and exemplary damages to Smit's mother Christina Carolina Gerarda Johanna Verstappen in her civil suit against the defendants for negligence in handling the investigation into her daughter's death.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
AGC reviewing preliminary police probe report on Zara Qairina's death
The AGC said it will announce its decision on the case once it has completed its review. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The Attorney-General's Chambers is reviewing the report of the preliminary investigation by police into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. In a statement today, the AGC said it received the report today after it was forwarded to its Sabah branch yesterday. It said the review will include a thorough examination of the facts of the case and legalities. The AGC said a decision on the case would be announced once it had completed its review. 'We would advise the public against issuing speculative statements about the case as it could jeopardise the investigation,' it said. Zara Qairina, 13, was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after she allegedly fell from the third floor of her school hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu the next day.
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
AGC reviewing preliminary report on Zara Qairina's death
Zara Qairina KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) is reviewing the full preliminary investigation report submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in connection with the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. In a statement today, the AGC said the report was received on August 3 at its Sabah branch and the following day at its headquarters in Putrajaya. It said that the review process involves a thorough examination of the legal and factual aspects to ensure that any decision is made in accordance with the law and upholds the principles of justice. The AGC added that a decision on the case would be announced upon completion of the review of the preliminary investigation report. 'The department appreciates the cooperation of all parties and urges the public to refrain from making speculative statements that could affect the investigation process and the course of justice,' the statement said. Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. She had been taken to the hospital for treatment after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of a religious school in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16. Meanwhile, more than 300 people gathered at Lintasan Deasoka on Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday night to demand justice for Zara Qairina. The vigil, organized by Suara Mahasiswa UMS alongside Gerakan Anak Muda Pantai Timur (GEMPUR), highlighted three core messages: a demand for justice, calls for systemic reform and support for Zara's grieving family.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
AGC says reviewing police preliminary report into death of Zara Qairina, warns against speculation
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) is reviewing the full preliminary investigation report submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in connection with the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. In a statement today, the AGC said the report was received on 3 Aug at its Sabah branch and the following day at its headquarters in Putrajaya. It said that the review process involves a thorough examination of the legal and factual aspects to ensure that any decision is made in accordance with the law and upholds the principles of justice. The AGC added that a decision on the case would be announced upon completion of the review of the preliminary investigation report. 'The department appreciates the cooperation of all parties and urges the public to refrain from making speculative statements that could affect the investigation process and the course of justice,' the statement said. Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. She had been taken to the hospital for treatment after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of a religious school in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16. — Bernama
