Kota Kinabalu: Sabah DAP Chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe called for a comprehensive investigation into why police investigators failed to follow standard operating procedures in the fatal case involving student Zara, whose death has sparked widespread public concern.
“There is significant procedural failures after police admitted that investigating officers did not properly explain the importance of a post-mortem examination to Zara’s grieving mother nor did they simultaneously apply to the hospital for the procedure as required by protocol.
“While the police statement helps clarify public questions and curb speculation, it also reveals critical lapses in the investigation 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');});“This demands accountability and further investigation to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Phoong said.
He said Zara’s mother’s decision to refuse a post-mortem should be viewed with compassion, noting that any parent receiving such devastating news would naturally be overwhelmed by grief and unable to think rationally.
“We should be questioning why officers failed to follow proper procedures by patiently explaining the post-mortem process and its importance to the family,” he said.
Phoong raised concerns about whether external factors or internal pressures may have influenced the investigating officer’s deviation from established procedures, warning that such actions would undermine Malaysia’s judicial fairness and violate the rights of both the deceased and her family.
“If anyone deliberately concealed, delayed or circumvented proper procedures, they must face severe legal consequences regardless of rank or position. Otherwise, our police force’s credibility will be questioned,” he said.
Sabah DAP attended a candlelight vigil for Zara on Aug 12 and plans to participate in a peaceful assembly at the Padang Merdeka here on Aug 15, demanding transparency and truth from authorities.
Phoong said the case has evolved beyond a school safety tragedy to become a test of Malaysia’s law enforcement credibility and judicial procedures, requiring an open and transparent investigation to restore public trust.