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THE Kota Kinabalu Child Court has granted the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) permission to act as watching brief in the case of five children charged in relation to the death of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Judge Elsie Primus made the decision under Section 12(3)(c) of the Child Act 2001 during a pre-trial case management session held today.
According to the court’s public relations officer, Cindy Mc Juce Balitus, the prosecution has so far submitted 15 documents to the first accused child, and 18 documents each to the remaining four accused, in accordance with Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
An additional five documents will be delivered to all five children at the next pre-trial management hearing, which has been scheduled for 16 October. The full trial is expected to take place from 9 to 20 December.
All five accused, whose identities are withheld under the Child Act 2001, pleaded not guilty on 20 August to charges filed under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34. The provision carries a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The judge allowed bail of RM5,000 for each child, with a deposit of RM1,000.
Proceedings are being conducted in camera, with only authorised parties permitted in court. The media is receiving official updates through court-appointed officers. - September 25, 2025