KOTA KINABALU: A police forensic team has successfully exhumed the body of Zara Qairina Mahathir from the Muslim Cemetery in Tg Ubi Mesapol in Sipitang, about 140km from here, on Saturday (Aug 9).
Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa granted a police application to exhume Zara's grave during a hearing at Papar district police headquarters.
Working under a makeshift tent, the team began work at approximately 4.45pm.
The exhumation was carried out in the presence of the deceased's parents and the family lawyer.
The Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department, in collaboration with the State Mufti’s Office, was present to ensure that the remains are treated with respect and handled in accordance with Islamic principles.
Zara Qairina’s extended family and friends gathered at the cemetery as early as noon, despite the rain.
Among them was Zara Qairina 's grandfather, Hasim Tua, 83.
“I hope that everything goes smoothly and that any evidence discovered will assist in the investigation,” said Hasim, who last met Zara Qairina during her birthday last year.
It took about two hours to exhume the body. It was then transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu at about 7.40pm.
A post-mortem examination of the body was scheduled to be conducted on Sunday (Aug 10) as part of the investigations into the cause of the 13-year-old’s death.
