KOTA KINABALU: Lawyers representing four of the teenagers linked to the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir have condemned recent comments by Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, describing them as “reckless, dangerous, and disgusting.”
Their statement follows the circulation of a video shared on Facebook in which Shafie allegedly referred to the case as a “murder” and questioned both the police investigation and the findings of the forensic pathologist.
The lawyers — Azhier Farhan Arisin, Abdul Fikry Jaafar Datuk Abdullah, Mohammed Fareez Mohammed Salleh, and Sylvester Kuan — who represent Students B, C, D, and E, said the remarks were highly irresponsible and prejudicial to their clients.
They further alleged that Shafie’s comments were an attempt to inflame public sentiment ahead of the upcoming state election.
“Justice belongs in court, not on the campaign trail. Premature and irresponsible statements not only undermine the presumption of innocence, but also show a lack of respect for the grieving family,” the lawyers said in a joint statement.
On July 16, Zara Qairina, a Form One student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious near a drain outside her dormitory in the early hours of the morning.
She was brought to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Post-mortem and medical examinations revealed she sustained severe injuries: fractures to arms, legs, a severely broken ankle, a head wound, and brain injury consistent with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) from lack of oxygen and/or blood flow.
Five teenage students have since been charged in the Kota Kinabalu Court for Children with using insulting words against Zara Qairina.
All pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.
On Aug 13, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered an inquest after reviewing the police investigation report.
The inquest, which began on Sept 3, aims to establish how Zara Qairina died, including whether foul play was involved, whether negligence or bullying contributed, and whether those responsible have been held to answer.
The lawyers also said that statements such as those made by Shafie risk prejudicing the inquest process.
“Due process, evidence, and the presumption of innocence must be preserved,” the joint statement read.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
