KUALA LUMPUR: The Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) will record the statements of the three senior officers who were involved in the preliminary investigation into the death of the Form One student in Papar, Sabah.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said Bukit Aman JIPS officers will travel there within a day or two to record statements from these three officers.
“The investigation concerns non-compliance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the Zara Qairina Mahathir case and the supervision of investigating officers,” he said.
The department has initiated a disciplinary investigation against three police officers: the district police chief, who holds the rank of superintendent; the district criminal investigation division chief, who holds the rank of assistant superintendent; and an investigating officer, who holds the rank of inspector, Bernama reported.
They are suspected of failing to comply with SOP during the investigation into the case.
Speaking to reporters after the launch of the book, Antologi Puisi Makan Suap, at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka on Friday night, Ayob said strict action would be taken against any investigating officer and supervisor found to have violated investigation SOP.
At this juncture, he said, the three senior officers involved are carrying out their duties as usual.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the police are investigating a TikTok account, @berjuanguntukzara, for allegedly uploading inaccurate and misleading content related to the Zara Qairina’s case.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.
“These provisions cover offences involving the improper use of network facilities as well as content deemed to incite hatred towards any party or cause public fear and unrest,” he said in a statement.
Comm Kumar urged the public to immediately stop engaging in such irresponsible behaviour, warning that the spread of false information could create confusion.
“Such actions could disrupt and undermine the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation into the case,” he said.
Zara Qairina died at Hospital Queen Elizabeth on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious near a drain next to a religious school hostel in Papar.
On Aug 13, Bukit Aman revealed that there was indeed a procedural non-compliance by the police in failing to conduct a post-mortem.
