KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) has welcomed the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to direct an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, saying it is a crucial step in ensuring a full examination of the circumstances.
SLS president Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin (pic), in a statement on Friday, said the inquest, as an independent judicial process, will determine the cause of death, examine possible criminal elements, and establish the facts needed for the AGC to decide on potential prosecutions.
He reminded the public that any decision to prosecute will depend on the inquest’s findings and the sufficiency of evidence, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the justice process.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Nazim also underscored that bullying — whether physical, verbal, psychological, or online — has no place in schools, noting that recent Penal Code amendments (Sections 507B–G) criminalise a broad range of abusive behaviour and impose serious penalties when such acts cause harm, including in cases involving suicide.
The SLS, through its Community Empowerment and Protection Subcommittee, will monitor the inquest closely and work with stakeholders to ensure the tragedy prompts meaningful reforms to safeguard children in educational settings.