Zara Qairina's death probe centres on bullying, neglect and sexual harassment - Home Minister
Police had also submitted their investigation papers to the AGC after taking statements from 195 witnesses.
KUALA LUMPUR - The investigation into the tragic death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir centres on three key elements, namely bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the police had also submitted their investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) after taking statements from 195 witnesses.
"I do not rule out the presence of bullying. From the conclusions we have drawn, bullying is evident. Schools should be safe places for our children, and school administrators must understand that any such incidents must be addressed transparently. That is why our investigation is focused on the element of bullying.
"There was also an element of neglect as the girl (Zara) had previously made complaints to the school. So we investigated that, as well as the element of sexual harassment,” he said during a ministerial briefing after Question Time at Dewan Rakyat today.
The minister said that it is now up to the AGC to determine whether charges will be filed, while ensuring that the inquest proceedings serve as a transparent platform for all parties to present evidence openly.
Zara, a student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. She was found unconscious in a drain near the school hostel at 4 am on July 16.
Saifuddin said that the authorities were not exploiting the case to shield those with rank, titles, or positions, but were focused on uncovering the truth and delivering justice.
He emphasised that police investigations into every accusation raised in the case were thorough and detailed, including the alleged involvement of a VIP's grandchild, the wife of a deputy minister, and claims that Zara Qairina was forced into a washing machine.
"Police investigations did not find (evidence) on any of the claims. None at all, after taking statements from 195 witnesses," he added.
Saifuddin stressed that every action taken by the police, the school, and medical officers, since the first day of the incident, was based on real-time information, with initial measures carried out in line with the prescribed standard operating procedures.
He asserted that instances of non-compliance by police investigators in the case did not compromise the integrity of the investigation, especially after investigators from Bukit Aman took over the probe.
Six government and opposition MPs debated the ministerial briefing, namely Datuk Matbali Musah (GRS-Sipitang), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bahru), Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota), Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi), and Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar). - BERNAMA
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