KOTA KINABALU: The Attorney General’s Chambers has been urged to prosecute individuals for bullying in line with possibilities identified in police investigations into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
A legal team representing Noraidah Lamat, 45, Zara’s mother, made the proposal after Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M Kumar revealed details on Wednesday.
Comm Kumar said police are focusing on possible criminal elements linked to bullying.
In a statement on Thursday (Aug 14), the legal team said the Special Task Force found evidence of bullying before Zara’s death.
“If the evidence is strong enough to be taken to court, we propose that the AGC prosecute any individuals identified for bullying under Section 507D(2) of the Penal Code,” the family’s five-lawyer team said.
The legal team comprises Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh and Farrah Nasser.
Under Section 507D(2), those convicted face up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The lawyers said police should pursue further bullying probes if evidence is currently insufficient to prosecute.
“When this step is taken, an inquest will no longer be necessary,” they said.
“If the evidence is not sufficient for an offence under Section 507D(2), further investigation must continue to corroborate it,” they added.
“In this situation, an inquest should proceed alongside further investigation, with prosecution later,” they said.
The legal team added that the police press conference debunked social media claims of a “plot twist” blaming Zara’s mother’s family issues for the death.
It then said the narrative was aimed at smearing Zara and her mother.
Zara died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious near a drain by a school hostel in Papar.
Comm Kumar said the post-mortem confirmed her injuries were consistent with a fall.
Zara’s death shocked Sabah and the nation, with rallies across the state calling for Justice for Zara and action against school bullying.
