KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are working to identify a TikTok user who falsely claimed to be a surgeon involved in the post-mortem of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the individual had claimed that he was present during the post-mortem on Aug 10, but checks by the Health Ministry confirmed that he was neither a specialist nor a staff member.
"This individual shared various false information during a TikTok live session, creating the impression that his claims were factual.
"Unfortunately, the content went viral and has caused public confusion,” he told reporters after launching the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2025 campaign for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya at the Teacher Education Institute (Malay Language Campus) here on Saturday (Aug 16).
Fahmi said the matter was confirmed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad through an official report from Health deputy director-general (Medical) Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus, who obtained verified information from the forensic specialists handling the case.
"The head of the forensic team confirmed the TikTok user was not a forensic specialist and that all information disseminated was false.
"The individual has since set his TikTok account to private, making it difficult for the authorities to contact him,” Fahmi said, reminding the public not to be easily swayed by unverified claims on social media.
He cautioned that spreading false information is a serious offence, punishable by a fine of up to RM500,000 if convicted.
Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17 after being admitted a day earlier.
She was found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar at 4am on July 16.- Bernama
