KOTA KINABALU: The school principal, the students' affairs senior assistant and warden at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha should be suspended and not transferred to the state Education Department, Sabah DAP Youth (Dapsy) chief Chan Loong Wei said.
He said the Education Ministry's decision to temporarily place the Education Department pending the investigation into the tragic death of Zara Qairina Mahathir at the school was insufficient, as it affected the integrity of the probe.
"Suspension is an urgent and necessary measure to ensure that the investigation is carried out independently, transparently and without any interference or influence from the parties involved," Chan said.
He said these individuals must be suspended until the investigation is completed.
"Allowing those under investigation to remain in active positions, even in different locations, risks undermining public confidence in the integrity of the investigation process," he said.
The case, according to Chan, requires a zero-tolerance approach towards any perception of interference or undue influence on witnesses, students, or school staff.
He said that suspension during investigations is a standard practice for serious cases, especially those involving the death of a student.
Chan added that Sabah Dapsy was firmly behind the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir and the people of Sabah in demanding full accountability, transparency, and justice in this process.
