Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that the probe into the death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir revealed elements of bullying and neglect.
He also told the Dewan Rakyat that there was no cover-up in the investigation.
“The investigation paper on Zara’s case was submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers this morning,” he said.
Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school’s hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital the following day.
Last week, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said that the case, initially classified as sudden death, was now being investigated for possible criminal elements, including bullying.
Saifuddin had decided to address Zara’s case at the lower house as it was frequently brought up by MPs.
He said there was no truth to claims that Zara’s death was linked to high-profiled individuals or that she had been shoved into a washing machine.
“Claims of attempted cover-ups and manipulation are very serious allegations which do not reflect the reality on the ground in terms of what the authorities have been doing,” he said.
He added that the suspected non-compliance with standard operating procedures during the initial investigation had not impacted the integrity of the probe.
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