Latest news with #KotaKinabaluCourtforChildren
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Teacher in court over fake news on Zara Qairina's death
SEPANG: An English secondary school teacher has arrived at the court complex here this morning, where she is expected to face charges over allegedly spreading unverified information regarding the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. The teacher, who had earlier been released on bail following police investigations, arrived at the complex with several family members at 8.34am. She was later escorted into the magistrate's court by officers from Bukit Aman's Classified Crimes Unit. She is to be charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code before magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani. The provision relates to making statements conducive to public mischief. The law stipulates that anyone who makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public, whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against public tranquillity, commits an offence. A conviction carries a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had previously said that the teacher spread false claims alleging Zara was murdered after being put into a washing machine. The teacher admitted she did so merely to create TikTok content. Zara, a student at a religious school in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious on July 16 and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) the following day. Yesterday, five teenagers claimed trial at the Kota Kinabalu Court for Children to a joint charge of using abusive or insulting words that allegedly caused distress and fear to Zara.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Amending charges as new evidence emerge is normal, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Amending charges in an ongoing trial is a normal process, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He was commenting on the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir, in which some parties had called for a delay in charging the suspects involved in her death until more evidence could be found to charge them under a law that carried heavier penalties. Five teenagers had pleaded not guilty to a charge of using insulting words against Zara Qairina Five teenagers had pleaded not guilty to a charge of using insulting words against Zara Qairina. The minors, whose identities are protected under the Child Act, were jointly charged at the Kota Kinabalu Court for Children today. Saifuddin said the true cause of Zara Qairina's death will be determined when the Coroner's Court in Kota Kinabalu conducts an inquest next month. He added that meanwhile, at the trial in the Kinabalu Court for Children, the prosecution will attempt to establish the elements of bullying as defined by law, and that process will unfold accordingly. "If, during the inquest, affirmative evidence emerges in identifying the perpetrator, I believe the inquest will be halted, as the suspect would have been established. Naturally, the charges would then be amended. "Amending charges during legal proceedings is a normal process. For now, this is the attorney-general's decision (to charge under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code for common intention in using insulting words)," he said in his winding-up speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan in Parliament. "The police's role is complete at this stage and I urge that there be no perception that this is an attempt to protect anyone." Saifuddin was responding to a question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Star) on whether charges could be amended if the inquest or investigation uncovered new evidence. He also mentioned the case of Wan Ahmad Faris, whose body was found in a school dormitory toilet in 2013. A coroner's ruling stated that the teenager did not die by suicide. "Wan Ahmad Faris' family is pushing for the case to be revisited. Yes, the police will reopen it. The investigation papers have been completed. "At the time, the deputy public prosecutor had instructed no further action be taken, but since the family believes there is reason to review it, I have discussed this with the director of the Criminal Investigation Department. "What prevents us from reopening it? The police have said there is no problem and the case can be reopened because the investigation has been completed," he said. Wan Ahmad Faris' case resurfaced recently after the victim's family and civil society groups called on the authorities to pursue justice in the wake of suspicious deaths believed to be caused by bullying. Besides Zara Qairina and Wan Ahmad Faris, the death of a Reserve Officers' Training Unit (Palapes) cadet in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has also reignited allegations of bullying in higher-learning institutions. Cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital while undergoing training at the Combat Inoculation Firing Range of the Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Ulu Tiram, Johor. His mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45, had called for an immediate and transparent investigation into her son's death, claiming that she had seen bruises and unusual marks on his body.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Zara Qairina bullying case: Kota Kinabalu Court for Children issues gag order
Hamid explains the gag order to reporters. — Photo by Elton Gomes KOTA KINABALU (Aug 20): The Kota Kinabalu Court for Children today issued a gag order for the bullying case of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. 'We can't talk about what happened inside (the court) today because there is a gag order. So, we apologise,' said Hamid Ismail, the lawyer representing the family of the late Zara. Hamid said the gag order was issued as it involved minors and under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, relating to the offence of using or making any threatening, abusive, or insulting words or communication. MORE TO COME Hamid Ismail Kota Kinabalu Court for Children lead Zara Qairina Mahathir
