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FIVE minors are to be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children's Court, Sabah, today in connection with the bullying case involving the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) earlier confirmed that it had reviewed the police investigation papers and decided to charge several individuals involved based on the evidence obtained.
According to the AGC, the decision to charge the suspect was made under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, and it was made based on evidence and facts from the investigation.
At the same time, the AGC also announced that inquest proceedings would still be conducted to determine the true cause of the student's death.
Meanwhile, the five teenagers who will be charged today will be protected under the Children's Act 2001.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said the protection includes the right to confidentiality, the right to legal defence, and fair treatment.
Her statement came following concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) regarding the disclosure of the identities of the five teenagers.
Suhakam had said that publishing the identities of children could be subject to action under Section 15 of Act 611, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if convicted. - August 20, 2025