A task force from the Bukit Aman criminal investigation department has been sent to Sabah to take over investigations into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
In a statement, the inspector-general of police secretariat’s corporate communications unit said the deployment of the nine-member task force was aimed at ensuring the investigation is carried out transparently and thoroughly.
“The police take every case involving the loss of life seriously,” it said.
“We urge all parties to allow the authorities the space to conduct their investigation professionally and to refrain from making any speculation that could disrupt the investigation process.”
On Friday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said Zara’s remains needed to be exhumed to enable a post-mortem to be carried out on the Form 1 student amid allegations of bullying.
The AGC said it was of the view that further police investigations were necessary to ensure all aspects of the case could be thoroughly examined.
The exhumation was carried out and the post-mortem was concluded yesterday.
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.
Zara’s 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.
