KOTA KINABALU: The public has been cautioned against disclosing the identities of five teenagers expected to be charged in connection with the alleged bullying of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Sabah Law Society (SLS) president Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin said that any disclosure that leads to the exposure to the identity of the minors being charged was an offence under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001.
"SLS wishes to respectfully remind the public and media that the Child Act 2001 prohibits the publication or sharing of any information that may lead to the identification of a child involved in such proceedings.
"This includes names, photographs, addresses, schools, or any other particulars that could reveal their identity," he said, adding that such offenders could face severe penalties.
Nazim said that while concerned citizens may feel compelled to share information online, even well-intentioned actions can inadvertently breach the law.
“This safeguard is not about lessening the seriousness of the allegations, but about ensuring that justice is carried out according to the law.
“We therefore encourage everyone to exercise care and avoid circulating material that could identify the children involved,” he said.
Earlier, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) said in a statement that it had examined investigation papers into Zara Qairina’s death referred to by the police and decided to charge several suspects based on available evidence.
The teenagers involved will be charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code for using or making threatening, abusive or insulting words or communication.
