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MINISTER of Education Fadhlina Sidek has lodged formal complaints with both the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over defamatory accusations linking her to the principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha.
In a Facebook post published today, Fadhlina revealed that several individuals had attempted to associate her with the school’s leadership, in a campaign she described as malicious and unfounded.
"Of late, there has been a surge of vile and reckless slander, designed to incite hatred. Merely denying and rebutting these claims no longer serves as a deterrent," she wrote.
"Even more hurtful is the fact that these lies have dragged in my late mother, who is no longer here to defend herself. This sponsored and malicious slander has had an impact on society," she added.
The controversy comes in the wake of police investigations into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a student of the school.
It was previously reported that the principal, along with the Senior Assistant for Student Affairs and all wardens of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, had been temporarily reassigned to the Sabah State Education Department (JPN Sabah) pending the outcome of the investigation. - September 10, 2025