Latest news with #HamidIsmail
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Lawyer denies claims of public donations for Zara Qairina's family's legal fees
KOTA KINABALU — The lawyer representing the family of Zara Qairina Mahathir has denied claims that public donations are being sought to cover alleged legal expenses in the case, The Star reported. Hamid Ismail said the family had not requested any contributions and that his services were provided pro bono. 'If there's anyone who is opening a fund or claiming it's to pay RM2 million in legal fees, that is false and untrue,' he was quoted as saying when met at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's forensic department today. He was responding to comments on TikTok allegedly calling for donations to support legal services for Zara Qairina's family. Hamid also said the investigation process, which included the exhumation, was still ongoing and expected to take time. 'As expected, it will take a long time. We are not allowed to go inside,' he said, adding that Zara Qairina's mother was seen leaving the site briefly and appeared very emotional. More than 3,000 people from all walks of life attended a solidarity rally today to demand justice for her. The rally, held at the Labuan Food Court and coinciding with the Labuan Bike event, was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including from PKR and Warisan, took to the stage to deliver impassioned speeches calling for truth, justice, and an end to violence against children. Zara Qairina, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17. She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4 am on July 16. In a significant development, her body was exhumed late last night and transported to Kota Kinabalu. A post-mortem has been scheduled for today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I to assist ongoing police investigations into her death, which has drawn public outrage.
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
CT scan conducted on Zara Qairina's body after exhumation, lawyer says
KOTA KINABALU – A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed last night on the body of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir following the exhumation of her grave earlier in the day. Lawyer Hamid Ismail, representing Noraidah Lamat, 45, Zara Qairina's mother, told Astro Awani that once the body was brought to Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQEI), the next procedures were carried out ahead of an autopsy scheduled for this morning. 'They will conduct the CT scan tonight, and the autopsy will be carried out at 9am tomorrow morning. It depends on the forensic experts when the autopsy results will be available. On the challenges faced during the exhumation, Hamid said despite heavy rain, the process went smoothly. 'It was raining heavily, but before digging started, the rain had eased to a drizzle and conditions became very good. There were no issues, everything went smoothly,' he was quoted as saying late last night. Regarding hopes for the autopsy report, Hamid expressed confidence that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) would perform their duties well. 'We are confident in the police and the AGC. However, this case started with shortcomings at the early stage — no autopsy was conducted initially and clothes were not collected. 'That was the mistake. But I see the police are cooperating well with us and I am confident justice will be served for Zara,' he said.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Magistrate's Court grants exhumation order for 13-year-old Zara Qairina's grave in Sipitang
PAPAR, Aug 9 — The Magistrate's Court here on Saturday granted an application for an exhumation order for Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri said Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa allowed the application following a request by the Investigating Officer. Hamid said the exhumation in Sipitang will be witnessed by Zara's mother, Magistrate Wan Farrah Farizza Wan Ghazali, the State Prosecution Director, two Deputy Public Prosecutors, a forensic expert from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, police, and Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department officers. Zara was laid to rest at Tanjung Hubi Cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang. It was reported on Friday that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has instructed the police to exhume the body of Zara Qairina to facilitate a post-mortem examination. In a statement, the AGC said it had reviewed the full preliminary investigation report on her death and issued several directives, including the exhumation, to help gather additional information and evidence. Zara Qairina, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17, a day after being found unconscious and critically injured in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar. — Daily Express
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Court to decide on Zara Qairina exhumation this afternoon
Published on: Saturday, August 09, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 09, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The application for an exhumation order for Zara Qairina Mahathir will be heard at 1pm on Saturday, her family's lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri said in a media added that the exhumation is expected to take place on Saturday afternoon once the court grants the order. Advertisement It was reported on Friday that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has instructed the police to exhume the body of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir to facilitate a post-mortem examination. In a statement on Friday, the AGC said it had reviewed the full preliminary investigation report on her death and issued several directives, including the exhumation, to help gather additional information and evidence. Zara Qairina, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17, a day after being found unconscious and critically injured in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar. * 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
4 days 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.
