KOTA BARU: The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) does not plan to charge any other individuals in connection with the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir until the inquest proceedings at the Coroner’s Court are completed.
Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said that so far, only five female students have been charged in relation to the case.
“As of now, we have no plans to charge any other suspects until the inquest proceedings are complete and the findings reviewed,” he told reporters after launching the AGC’s Madani Adopted Village programme 2025 at Taman Desa Kemumin, Kampung Padang Tembak, yesterday.
He added that the proceedings, currently hearing the pathologist’s testimony, were progressing smoothly.
Elaborating further, Mohd Dusuki said the AGC would also conduct a comprehensive review of all content uploaded on social media, including TikTok, regarding Zara Qairina’s death.
“We hope the inquest process is allowed to run its course. Do not be in a hurry to make comments or any conclusions. Let the pathology expert give their testimony fully... we know some parties have questioned the (pathology) evidence; that is not good,” he said, Bernama reported.
When asked if the inquest procedure would be expedited, Mohd Dusuki said the proceedings had been set for a specific period and would continue as scheduled.
Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Hospital Queen Elizabeth in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. She was admitted after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4am on July 16.
On Aug 13, the AGC announced that an inquest would be conducted into her death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police.
Five teenage girls were charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Court on Aug 20 under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, for making threatening, abusive or insulting words against Zara Qairina.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
In another case, Mohd Dusuki said police are still investigating the death of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai Reserve Officer Training Corps (Palapes) cadet, Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, and an inquest will be held if deemed necessary.
“The (investigation results) will be submitted soon. We will follow the same process as in the case of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir if necessary... we want justice,” he said.
Previously, the Shah Alam High Court had ordered the exhumation of Syamsul Haris’ remains, buried at the Kampung Rinching Ulu Muslim cemetery in Semenyih, Selangor, on July 29.
Syamsul Haris, 22, died on July 28 at Hospital Kota Tinggi, Johor, after being admitted while undergoing training at the Combat Immunity Firing Range, Army Combat Training Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
Meanwhile, commenting on the death of Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman, who died at a tahfiz school in Kok Lanas in 2013, Mohd Dusuki said the AGC would resolve the case as soon as possible.
“We will conduct further investigations. I’m also briefed on the matter from time to time. We will take action if there are any new developments,” he said.
On Sept 1, the family of the late Wan Ahmad Faris submitted a memorandum to the Kelantan government, outlining three demands.
One of the demands is an explanation on why the school toilet, where the student was found, was demolished before the investigation was finalised.
Last month, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that the police would reopen the investigation into the tahfiz student’s death.
The forensic expert who performed the autopsy on Wan Ahmad Faris ruled out foul play, classifying it as sudden death.
However, in June 2016, the Coroner’s Court ruled that he was murdered.
