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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured the public that the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir will be conducted with full transparency and without compromise, regardless of the individuals involved.
“This is not something we take lightly, and my directive is clear: there will be no leniency,” Anwar said during his speech at the Rancakkan Madani Kelantan event at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Health Campus in Kubang Kerian on Saturday.
He cautioned the public against politicising the case or spreading unverified claims, particularly those implicating individuals with high-profile connections.
“People are saying all sorts of things – that it’s the child of a dignitary or a minister – I don’t care about that. But don’t slander anyone,” he said.
“As the Malay proverb goes, do not build a palace on someone’s grave. This is a matter of death – it doesn’t matter if the child comes from a poor or rich family, it is not a game. If it were my own family, I too would want answers,” he added.
The Prime Minister revealed that he has instructed the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Datuk M Kumar, to oversee the investigation personally to ensure integrity throughout the process.
“This is a Madani government – we do not protect anyone who is guilty,” Anwar said.
His remarks follow a directive from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) instructing the authorities to exhume Zara’s body for a post-mortem, after initial reports suggested she had fallen from a school dormitory building in Papar, Sabah on 16 July.
The AGC stated that the decision was part of a broader effort to ensure a comprehensive investigation, enabling the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to gather additional information and evidence.
Anwar emphasised that he had no concerns about what might be uncovered during the post-mortem.
“I have nothing to fear, even if something serious is revealed. We want to know the truth,” he said. ‘Do not to play judge in Zara Qairina case’
Meanwhile, the public must refrain from drawing premature conclusions or taking matters into their own hands over the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Federal Territory-level Kasih Kanak-Kanak child protection advocacy programme at PPR Kerinchi, Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had detected the circulation of false and misleading content online related to the case.
“Recently, we saw content going viral, accusing various parties of collusion in the case,” he said.
“These claims are wildly inaccurate. There was even an individual who alleged the late Zara had entered a washing machine, which was entirely untrue. The individual has since apologised.”
Fahmi advised the public to be cautious when engaging with online content and to avoid spreading unverified information.
“We must understand that the late Zara’s mother has already cooperated fully with the authorities. When the family has placed their trust in the authorities, the public must also respect that and allow the proper investigations to proceed,” he said.
Fahmi, who is also MP for Lembah Pantai, reminded that under recent amendments to the Penal Code, bullying has been legally classified as a criminal offence.
“This empowers the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to investigate bullying cases and ensure perpetrators face appropriate legal consequences,” he added.
He emphasised that the MCMC has issued clear guidance urging the public to scrutinise all information carefully and to act responsibly online.
“Do not assume the role of judge or jury. We have a legal system for a reason – to ensure justice is served fairly and properly,” he said.
Zara, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, was found unconscious in a drain near her dormitory around 4am on 16 July after reportedly falling from the third floor. She later died while receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. - August 9, 2025