The children’s court in Kota Kinabalu has issued a gag order on the proceedings involving five teenage girls who claimed trial to verbally abusing the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Hamid Ismail, the lawyer acting for Zara’s family, said the gag order was not issued to protect VIPs or to hide anything, but because the case involved minors, Berita Harian reported.
Hamid also urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to issue a statement on the prosecution of the teenagers since he could not inform the press about proceedings for fear of being found in contempt of court.
“Many things cannot be revealed according to Section 15 of the Child Act (which covers restrictions on media reporting regarding children charged in court).
“It’s not because there are VIPs involved or they’re trying to hide something. It’s because the law forbids it. So we hope the AGC will issue a statement on the case,” he said.
Bernama reported that the five girls were charged with uttering abusive words against Zara which could have caused her distress.
They were charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code which covers harassment and provides for up to a year in jail, a fine or both, upon conviction.
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 in Kota Kinabalu the following day.
