KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry (MOE) has lodged more than 10 police reports against the circulation of videos and posts related to the death of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha student, 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The ministry lodged the reports in Putrajaya upon advice from its legal division. Similar reports were also lodged in Sabah by teachers and parents of the school’s students, whose names, photos and identities were shared, linking them to the case.
The reports were lodged on the basis that such claims could incite public anger towards teachers and students.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the police reports were made in line with the ministry’s priority to safeguard the student’s well-being and school communities, as the spread of false information, whether through videos or written content, could not only affect their emotional state but also pose a threat to their safety.
She said the police police reports were also intended to allow the authorities to probe the allegations and take action against those involved if the claims are untrue.
“The police should be allowed to handle the investigation. Unfortunately, many have emerged to spread false news about the girl’s death, accompanied by various unfounded accusations and inaccurate information.
“MOE’s legal advisory division (BUU) has compiled all these false information and lodged police reports for further action, including over a video of a woman claiming that Zara’s internal injuries were caused by her being put into a washing machine.
“Imagine if such false news leads to students or teachers being threatened or assaulted. Also, what if investigations later prove them innocent but they’ve already been ‘punished’ through various false accusations?”
Zara Qairina was found seriously injured and unconscious at her school dormitory building early in the morning on July 16. She died at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQE I), Kota Kinabalu at 11am the following day.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said police have not ruled out the possibility of bullying in relation to the girl’s death. The preliminary investigation report has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.
Fadhlina said that after the ministry lodged the police reports, some people who had been spreading the claims have since removed their related online content.
“People may think the MOE is staying silent, but in reality, we are assisting in the investigation, particularly in the questioning process involving 60 witnesses from the school, which must be conducted in accordance with legal guidelines and comply with the Child Act 2001,” she said.
Fadhlina added that investigations were conducted in the presence of parents, the headmaster, a school counsellor, and a representative from the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG), strictly following MOE’s standard operating procedure (SOP).
“This SOP has long been practiced because we do not want underage students to feel pressured by the criminal investigation process, as they are not offenders.
“The police have also been very professional, as they are well aware of the Child Act 2001 requirements,” she added.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
