KUALA LUMPUR: Police have warned the public against spreading inaccurate information and images related to the Zara Qairina case on social media.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said such actions could jeopardise the ongoing investigation and deny justice to those involved.
“The police have detected the circulation of false claims and photographs of a child allegedly linked to the case, which have been uploaded and shared by certain individuals.
“The information being shared is inaccurate and has the potential to mislead the public.
“Such actions can not only compromise the ongoing investigation but also jeopardise justice for all parties involved,” he said in a statement.
Khalid reminded the public that such acts are offences under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001, which prohibits the disclosure of information on the identity, address, school name, and photographs of children involved; Section 203A of the Penal Code for disclosure of information; and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or network services.
He said all investigation processes, including the post-mortem, were being carried out in accordance with existing procedures and legal provisions.
He said that compliance with the law was fundamental to the nation’s peace and wellbeing, warning that any violations would be met with stern action.
Earlier, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) called on the public to stop circulating unverified information, including images of children allegedly linked to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
It has returned the full preliminary investigation report on the death of Zara to the police.
Previously, it was reported that Zara, a Form 1 student, was found unconscious on the ground level of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha’s hostel early on July 16.
She was declared dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu the next day.
The death of the teenager has sparked heated debate online after allegations of bullying and supposed failures in the early stages of the investigation, including the lack of a post-mortem examination before she was buried.
On Aug 1, Zara’s family requested an inquest to be held to determine whether any criminal elements were involved in her death.
They had, among other requests, called for Zara’s body to be exhumed.
Previously, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police had submitted the preliminary investigation paper on Zara Qairina’s death to the A-GC.
However, earlier today, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said the A-GC had returned the investigation paper to police yesterday for further action to be taken.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
