Kota Kinabalu: Zara Qairina Mahathir’s family legal team issued a stern reminder to social media influencers not to intimidate witnesses or spread fake stories related to Zara’s death.
Hamid Ismail and his team said there were witnesses, especially students, who refused to appear because they were worried about netizens’ threats on social media.
“I advise members of the public who might be potential witnesses to come forward to the police or directly to my team.
“To social media influencers, please do not scare the witnesses.
“We want justice for Zara, but in seeking justice, let us not go so far as to slander or threaten others,” he said.
According to Hamid, they have met individuals who were afraid because influencers had accused them or spread false stories.
Meanwhile, the legal team also said they welcomed the Attorney-General’s decision to prosecute suspects linked to the death of Zara Qairina, saying the move is in line with recommendations they made earlier this month.
“We welcome the Attorney-General’s decision. It is consistent with the proposal we submitted to the AG’s Chambers in our media statement on 14 August 2025,” the team said in a joint statement.
They noted that the proposal followed disclosures by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department director, who had revealed evidence pointing to bullying before Zara’s death.
“Given that evidence, prosecution must be initiated against the individuals mentioned under Section 507D(2) of the Penal Code,” the statement said.
The lawyers added that, as of now, they have no knowledge of the identities of the individuals who will be charged or the specific legal provisions that will be applied.
“However, we hope the charges will be directly linked to Zara’s death by invoking the above section, so that heavier punishments can be imposed if convictions are secured,” they said.
The statement was made by Hamid, Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasser.
Hamid Ismail and his team said there were witnesses, especially students, who refused to appear because they were worried about netizens’ threats on social media.
“I advise members of the public who might be potential witnesses to come forward to the police or directly to my team.
“To social media influencers, please do not scare the witnesses.
“We want justice for Zara, but in seeking justice, let us not go so far as to slander or threaten others,” he said.
According to Hamid, they have met individuals who were afraid because influencers had accused them or spread false stories.
Meanwhile, the legal team also said they welcomed the Attorney-General’s decision to prosecute suspects linked to the death of Zara Qairina, saying the move is in line with recommendations they made earlier this month.
“We welcome the Attorney-General’s decision. It is consistent with the proposal we submitted to the AG’s Chambers in our media statement on 14 August 2025,” the team said in a joint statement.
They noted that the proposal followed disclosures by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department director, who had revealed evidence pointing to bullying before Zara’s death.
“Given that evidence, prosecution must be initiated against the individuals mentioned under Section 507D(2) of the Penal Code,” the statement said.
The lawyers added that, as of now, they have no knowledge of the identities of the individuals who will be charged or the specific legal provisions that will be applied.
“However, we hope the charges will be directly linked to Zara’s death by invoking the above section, so that heavier punishments can be imposed if convictions are secured,” they said.
The statement was made by Hamid, Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasser.