KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11 — Two individuals appeared in separate Sessions Court proceedings here today over social media posts linked to the ongoing inquest into the death of 13-year-old schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir.
A housewife was found guilty and fined for falsely implicating Sabah’s Head of State in the teenager’s death while a headmaster pleaded not guilty to threatening the inquest’s first witness, forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu.
In the first case, housewife Asmaziah Sedek, 32, was fined RM10,000, in default two months’ jail, after pleading guilty to posting false information on Facebook using the profile “Ash Qiey”.
She stated in her post on July 29 post that children of prominent figures, including members of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s family, were involved in Zara’s death.
The post, which went viral and was later shared on WhatsApp, was found to be defamatory and without evidence.
Asmaziah, who was unrepresented, told Sessions court judge Marlina Ibrahim that she regretted her actions and pleaded for leniency, saying she acted out of emotion as a mother and had no funds to pay a heavy fine.
“I only posted it as an emotional reaction. I have an eight-month-old baby who is still breastfeeding, and my husband has only just started working,” she said.
In a separate proceeding, retired headmaster Kamul Kamarudin, 61, pleaded not guilty to making an online threat against forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, who was the witness last week. — Bernama pic
Deputy public prosecutors DK Afiqah Alya AK Johari and Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim urged the court to impose a strong sentence, citing public interest and the surge of false statements online following Zara’s death.
In a separate proceeding, retired headmaster Kamul Kamarudin, 61, pleaded not guilty to making an online threat against Dr Hiu, who was the witness last week.
Dr Hiu, who had conducted a post mortem on Zara after authorities exhumed the body, said Zara’s injuries were consistent with a fall from height.
Using the Facebook profile “Amung Kamaruddin”, Kamul allegedly wrote on September 5: “Mau intai bah ni Dr di mana dia tinggal… bila dia kerja… upah bah… pemandu langgar lari” (“We should spy on where this doctor lives… when she works… hire someone… a hit-and-run driver”).
The charge was under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
The court allowed bail of RM20,000 with two local sureties, and imposed conditions for Kamul to report to police monthly and not disturb prosecution witnesses.
Kamul had initially pleaded guilty before changing his plea after hearing the offences’ provisions.
Both cases come as public attention remains sharply focused on the inquest, which has seen heated debate and speculation online.
Police and prosecutors have repeatedly reminded the public against spreading misinformation or targeting witnesses.
Intense public interest and support had resulted in an inquest into Zara’s death.
The inquest is currently ongoing, with six out of 68 witnesses testifying.
