SEPANG: An English secondary school teacher has arrived at the court complex here this morning, where she is expected to face charges over allegedly spreading unverified information regarding the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The teacher, who had earlier been released on bail following police investigations, arrived at the complex with several family members at 8.34am. She was later escorted into the magistrate’s court by officers from Bukit Aman’s Classified Crimes Unit.
She is to be charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code before magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani. The provision relates to making statements conducive to public mischief.
The law stipulates that anyone who makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public, whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against public tranquillity, commits an offence.
A conviction carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had previously said that the teacher spread false claims alleging Zara was murdered after being put into a washing machine. The teacher admitted she did so merely to create TikTok content.
Zara, a student at a religious school in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious on July 16 and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) the following day.
Yesterday, five teenagers claimed trial at the Kota Kinabalu Court for Children to a joint charge of using abusive or insulting words that allegedly caused distress and fear to Zara.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
