The Kota Kinabalu coroner’s court has issued a show-cause notice to Warisan president Shafie Apdal for contempt over remarks on the Zara Qairina Mahathir case while the inquest into her death is ongoing.
According to Harian Metro, coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan granted the application by lawyer Ram Singh on the 11th day of the inquest today, with all parties in agreement.
The notice will be served immediately to the former Sabah chief minister.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) earlier said that it was scrutinising the remarks and would take action, including initiating contempt of court proceedings, if necessary.
Shafie had reportedly questioned the length of time taken for the inquest at an event in Kinabatangan last Saturday.
In a video, he is heard saying: “The girl has died. She was not bullied, it was a murder. How many times has Bukit Aman questioned the witnesses? They have questioned the same people.”
Zara, 13, died in hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious at 4am in a drain near her school.
On Aug 13, the AGC ordered that an inquest be held after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police.
