Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali backs the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) directive to exhume the body of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir, adding that the authorities should also remain open to convening an inquest.
Armizan, who is also Papar MP, described the AGC’s move in ordering the police to exhume the body of the teenager as absolutely appropriate.
“From the outset, in cases where the cause and circumstances of death are unclear, a post-mortem is much needed to prevent issues such as those arising in this case.
“In such situations, investigating officers have a duty to ensure this is done, as stipulated under Section 330 of the Criminal Procedure Code. I hope the police will promptly proceed with the necessary steps for the autopsy,” he told FMT.
He also said that while it may still be too early to decide, the authorities should remain open to the possibility of convening an inquest if the circumstances warrant it.
“An inquest is a legal process available under our system that allows all facts and circumstances to be examined through as many witnesses as possible, while giving the public access to follow the proceedings and obtain information.
“This is particularly important in cases that have drawn extraordinary public attention and sparked speculation and misinformation,” Armizan said.
Armizan acknowledged that while some may exploit the situation to push certain agendas, there are far more people who simply want the truth and justice to prevail.
He said justice must be served for the late Zara, and any speculation or slander must be curbed through a transparent and orderly process grounded in law.
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 the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu the following day.
Yesterday, the AGC instructed the police to exhume Zara’s body for a post-mortem to gather additional information and evidence.
