KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government welcomes the Attorney General’s Chambers decision to order police to investigate further the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found near a drain at her religious school hostel on July 16.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that this case not only touched the hearts of the people in Sabah, but also received widespread attention throughout the country and neighbouring countries.
“This clearly shows that there is a common demand from everyone to see justice for Zara,” he said on Facebook in his first public comment on the case.
Hajiji said that he had full confidence that the authorities would conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the death of the Form 1 student to ensure justice is met for Zara and her family.
Hajiji called on the public to remain calm, not be influenced by speculation and provide space for the legal process of investigations to proceed.
“Our priority is to ensure that the truth is revealed and justice is served through the right channels,” he added.
Zara, who apparently fell from her third-floor religious school hostel building in Papar district, was found at 3pm on July 16 and died the following day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
Family members believe that her death was linked to bullying at the school hostel.
Zara’s mother, through her lawyers, has asked for an inquest to be held and also her body exhumed for post-mortem to be conducted amid a social media campaign #Justice for Zara.
On Friday (Aug 9), the Attorney-General’s Chambers disclosed that they have directed the police to exhume the body of Zara for a post-mortem to be conducted.
“The post-mortem is necessary to ensure police will be able to obtain additional information and evidence needed to complete the probe into Zara’s death, the AG’s office said, adding that police have been asked to carry out further investigation.
On Friday evening, thousands of people in the Sabah East coast towns of Sandakan and Tawau held rallies demanding Justice for Zara.
People carried banners, read poems, and offered prayers for Zara, while several activists and local people’s representatives addressed the gathering to express solidarity and sympathy for Zara.
They also chanted “Stop bullying” during the rally between 7pm and 9pm.
Similar gatherings are expected in other districts Sipitang, Papar, Ranau, Kundasang, Telupid, Kudat and Keningau scheduled in the next few days.
