KOTA KINABALU, Sept 24 — Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has been given one week to respond to a show-cause letter issued by the Attorney General’s Chambers for comments he made regarding the ongoing inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Speaking to reporters today, the Semporna MP confirmed he received the letter yesterday.
“We have one month to answer. I will make a comment, not to worry,” he said.
“I’ve been in politics a long time; I know what to do.”
The show-cause letter was issued after the Coroner’s Court, which is hearing the inquest, agreed with lawyers on Monday that some of Shafie’s comments about the case were controversial and could amount to contempt of court.
The inquest is investigating the death of Zara, who was found unconscious on the ground floor of her boarding school dormitory in Papar in the early hours of July 16.
Police initially classified the case as sudden death, but the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered an inquest following intense public pressure and questions raised by her family.
The inquiry is currently in its 13th day and has heard from its 10th witness out of an expected 68.
