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Inquest to be held into death of Zara Qairina

Inquest to be held into death of Zara Qairina

Daily Express3 hours ago
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The Attorney General's Chambers has decided to hold an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina. The decision was made after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police on Tuesday (Aug 12). The inquest will be conducted under subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code to determine the cause and circumstances of her death. It will also establish whether there were any criminal elements involved. The proceedings will take place at the Coroner's Court and be conducted impartially under the law. * 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.
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Zara Qairina case: Sabah Dapsy urges suspension of school officials
Zara Qairina case: Sabah Dapsy urges suspension of school officials

Daily Express

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  • Daily Express

Zara Qairina case: Sabah Dapsy urges suspension of school officials

Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 Text Size: Sabah Dapsy chief Chan Loong Wei ( pic ) has called on the Education Ministry (MOE) to suspend the principal, senior assistant for student affairs, and all wardens of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha pending the investigation into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir. Chan, in a statement on Wednesday, said suspension, rather than mere relocation to the State Education Department, was necessary to ensure the investigation proceeded independently and without influence from those involved. He stressed that allowing individuals under investigation to remain in active positions elsewhere could undermine public confidence in the transparency of the process. According to Chan, a zero-tolerance approach was needed to address any perception of interference with witnesses, students, or school staff. Sabah Dapsy reaffirmed its solidarity with Zara's family and the people of Sabah in seeking full accountability and justice, adding that justice must be seen to be done. * 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

EXPLAINER: How an inquest works and what it means in Zara's death probe
EXPLAINER: How an inquest works and what it means in Zara's death probe

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

EXPLAINER: How an inquest works and what it means in Zara's death probe

KUALA LUMPUR: The death of Zara Qairina Mahathir has gripped national attention — not only for its tragic circumstances, but also for what comes next: an inquest. Under Malaysian law, an inquest is one of the most important tools for answering the pressing questions after a sudden or suspicious death: What happened? How? And could it have been prevented? Zara, 13, a student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Sabah, was found unconscious in her dormitory compound in the early hours of July 16. She died the next day in hospital. Today, the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) ordered an inquest into her death, following her family's request to determine whether any criminal element was involved. SUBHEAD: What is an inquest? An inquest is a judicial inquiry conducted by a coroner or magistrate to determine how, when, and where a death occurred — particularly when the circumstances are sudden, unnatural, or suspicious. It is a fact-finding process, not a criminal trial. The coroner does not assign blame or determine guilt, but instead delivers an authoritative account of the events leading to the death, based on witness testimony, forensic reports, and other evidence. SUBHEAD: When is an inquest held? • Sudden, unnatural, or suspicious deaths – such as accidents, suspected suicides, unexplained falls, or possible homicides. • Deaths in custody or official care – including police lock-ups, prisons, immigration detention centres, or psychiatric facilities, to rule out misconduct or negligence. • Cases attracting public interest – where intense public debate or speculation has arisen, an inquest can help clarify facts and dispel misinformation. SUBHEAD: How does an inquest work? When a death meets the legal criteria, Malaysian law mandates an inquest under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. A magistrate acting as coroner conducts open-court hearings to establish the cause, manner, and circumstances of death. Witnesses — from family members to medical experts — may be called to testify. Post-mortem and laboratory reports are examined, and families often engage lawyers to ensure their questions are addressed. At the conclusion, the coroner delivers a verdict such as death by natural causes, misadventure, suicide, homicide, or an "open verdict" if the cause remains unclear. In some cases, coroners also issue recommendations to prevent similar tragedies. SUBHEAD: Why does it matter in Zara's case? Criminal lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan had said that given the high level of public interest and the swirl of online allegations, an inquest is the most effective way to address concerns and uncover the truth. Even without clear signs of foul play, he said, the inquiry could explore whether factors such as bullying, negligence, or unsafe conditions contributed to Zara's death. The findings, while not directly resulting in criminal charges, may guide police and prosecutors in deciding whether further action is warranted — and will provide an official record for the family and public. SUBHEAD: Learning from past inquests: The Gunung Tahan case In June this year, courts began hearing the Gunung Tahan inquest into the 2022 death of hiker Raja Azlan Shah, affectionately known as Ian. What began as a trek through Malaysia's pristine wilderness ended in tragedy, raising questions about expedition safety and preparedness. During hearings, lawyers for other hikers objected to public commentary about the case, prompting the judge to caution all parties against making statements while proceedings were ongoing. At the heart of that inquest are issues of safety standards, accountability, and whether preventive measures could have saved Raja AzIan's life. In some cases, coroners' recommendations have led to reforms — offering hope that lessons learned might protect others in the future.

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