KUALA LUMPUR: No individual will be protected in the case of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir as alleged by certain quarters, says the Education Ministry.
Its deputy minister Wong Kah Woh said with regard to disciplinary cases or bullying in schools, the ministry has set up clear guidelines and circulars that are enforced from time to time.
“The Education Ministry will not, and has never, attempted to protect anyone involved, contrary to certain claims that have been made by certain quarters,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) during Question Time in Parliament.
Shafie wanted to know the concrete actions taken on Zara Qairina’s case and how the ministry plans to tackle the issue of bullying at schools.
Wong stressed that at all levels and at all times, the ministry remained ready to cooperate fully with the police to assist in every aspect of the investigation.
“In the case of Zara Qairina, we now know that the matter is under police investigation.
“The Education Ministry will leave it to the authorities to carry out their investigation,” he said.
The lawyer representing the family of the late Zara Qairina said an inquest may be requested if the results of her post-mortem examination are deemed unsatisfactory by the family.
