KOTA KINABALU: A gag order has been imposed on proceedings involving five teenagers charged in connection with the bullying of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir at the Children’s Court here on Wednesday (Aug 20).
Lawyer Hamid Ismail, who represents Zara Qairina’s family, confirmed that details of the case cannot be disclosed following the order made under Section 15 of the Children’s Act 2001.
“We cannot speak about what took place inside because of the gag order. If it concerns other matters, we can answer, but not today’s proceedings,” he told reporters outside the court, adding that he does not want to risk contempt of court.
Hamid explained that Section 15 of the Act prohibits the publication of information that could identify children involved in court proceedings, including their names, addresses or details of their parents.
“This is not because they are VVIPs or because someone instructed it. This is Malaysian law. The Act clearly states that the identities of children must remain confidential, whether during investigation or trial,” he said.
He added that the family respected the order and urged the public not to misinterpret it as an attempt to conceal information.
“The purpose is to ensure justice is carried out according to the law. If we do not follow the law, then there is no justice,” he said.
Hamid also revealed that the family had filed an application to be an interested party in the upcoming inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.
The dates for the inquest are Sept 3 and 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad later confirmed the gag order was applied by counsel Datuk Ram Singh.
