KUALA LUMPUR: An Opposition lawmaker urges all involved in Zara Qairina Mahathir's inquest to do so with integrity.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) also proposed for Zara Qairina’s mother to be part of the inquest.
While debating the Home Minister’s address on Zara Qairina’s death, Saifuddin said an inquest does not intend to solely identify the guilty party.
“Instead, it also aims to ensure such incidents do not happen anymore, alongside improving investigation and public safety procedures.
“It can also function as a guideline for agencies like the Education Ministry,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 18).
Saifuddin also said the authorities must not let Zara Quairina's death be akin to the death of Teoh Beng Hock once the inquest begins.
Zara Qairina, 13, was found unconscious in a drain at 4am on July 16 near her school hostel in Papar, Sabah.
She was later pronounced dead at Hospital Queen Elizabeth on July 17.
Her death led to public outcry, with multiple gatherings held to demand justice.
The inquest date for Zara Qairina has been set to be held from Sept 3 to 30, with her mother Noraidah Lamat expected as one of the witnesses.
The full dates involved are Sept 3, Sept 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30.
Teoh, meanwhile, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, Selangor in July 2009.
He was found the morning after he was questioned overnight at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office which was on the 14th floor of the same building at the time.
