Malaysia will hold an inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious at a Sabah boarding school last month in a case that has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on Wednesday said the proceedings, to be conducted under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, will determine the cause and circumstances of her death, including whether foul play was involved.
“The inquest will be carried out by the Coroner's Court independently and transparently as guided by the law,” the AGC said in a statement.
In the latest development, newly appointed Federal Police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar told the press that the police officer in charge of Zara’s case had failed to follow proper procedures despite the suspicious nature of her death.
He said the investigating officer and his superior will face an internal inquiry.
“Although Zara’s mother earlier signed a statutory declaration declining a post-mortem, the investigating officer should have applied for one,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman today.
He also confirmed that some witness statements indicated elements of bullying before Zara’s death. So far, more than 80 statements have been recorded. In the same press conference, Kumar shared the outcome of the post-mortem carried out on Zara, saying the injuries discovered were consistent with a fall.
Meanwhile, 15 investigation papers have been opened over alleged fake news related to Zara’s death.
Last week, Kumar said a woman was arrested to facilitate one of the investigations and was subsequently released after her statement was recorded.
Zara was found unconscious outside the dormitory of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah about 4am on July 16. She was believed to have fallen from the third floor and died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu the next day.
No post-mortem was carried out before she was buried on July 17. Prior to her death, Zara told her mother of alleged threats made against her by senior students at the school.
On Aug 8, the AGC ordered her remains to be exhumed for a forensic examination, which was completed a day later. The case has since been taken over by the federal police’s special task force, which is probing allegations of bullying and negligence.
In a related move, the Education Ministry said it had temporarily reassigned the school’s principal, senior assistant for student affairs, and all wardens to the Sabah Education Department until the police investigation concludes.
The ministry said it would fully cooperate with authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent probe.
“As mentioned, the case is the ministry’s priority and we hope for a full and transparent investigation to serve justice for the family and all parties involved,” the ministry said.
Zara’s death has become a rallying point for civil society groups, lawyers and the public, who have urged the government to strengthen student welfare measures and ensure justice for her family.