Malaysia Oversight

IO failed to follow procedures in Zara Qairina’s case, says CID chief

By FMT in August 13, 2025 – Reading time 2 minute
IO failed to follow procedures in Zara Qairina’s case, says CID chief


M KUMAR
Bukit Aman CID director M Kumar said the investigating officer should have applied for a post-mortem despite Zara Qairina Mahathir’s mother declining one. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:

Police revealed today that the officer in charge of investigating the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir did not follow proper procedure by not requesting for a post-mortem.

Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said Zara’s death fell under suspicious circumstances, in which a post-mortem was warranted.

“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 police headquarters today.

He added that the investigating officer and his superior would be referred to Bukit Aman’s integrity and standards compliance department for not following procedure by ordering a post-mortem.

Earlier today, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered an inquest to be held into Zara’s death.

A task force from the Bukit Aman CID was previously sent to Sabah to take over the investigations.

Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after she allegedly fell from the third floor of her school’s hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital the following day.

Her mother, Noraidah Lamat, filed a police report on Aug 3 after stating that she recalled seeing bruises on parts of her daughter’s back during the Islamic funeral washing ritual.

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