KUALA LUMPUR: The police have analysed the diary of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir to learn about her mental state before she died, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the diary was analysed by psychologists from Bukit Aman's sexual, women and children crime investigation division (D11).
"Psychology experts from Bukit Aman's D11 investigated it because when we opened her diary, we saw (it was hers by) her handwriting.
"We knew her last moments, where she was at 11pm and what happened at the dorm at 10pm.
"All of this is corroborative evidence that we will put together.
"The psychologists will establish her mental state during then," said Saifuddin in Parliament on Aug 18.
At the same time,Saifuddin Nasution said the Zara Qairina case would be the first time where the newly introduced Section 507D of the Penal Code will be used to investigate a bullying case.
“The amendment was just gazetted in July this year and this is the first case under Section 507D of the Penal Code.
“Before this, bullying was probed under Section 233 of the Penal Code,” said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin also said the government was ready to consider the possibility of introducing a specific Act for bullying.
“Let the process take place first. If there is a need, I don’t think the government will be against it (bullying act),” added Saifuddin.
Section 507D was introduced in the Penal Code (Amendment)Bill (2) 2024 in honour of Rajeswary Appahhu, a cyberbullying victim who died by suicide last year.
Known as the “Esha Clause”, Section 507D criminalises any words or actions used to threaten, insult or defame with the intent to provoke self-harm or harm to others.
The penalty for such offences includes imprisonment for up to one year, a fine or both.
