19/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 19, 2025

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No cover-up in Zara Qairina investigation, says minister

Inquest into teenager’s death to begin Sept 3 KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court here has set Sept 3 to commence inquest proceedings into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Coroner Azreena Aziz yesterday scheduled the proceedings to run from Sept 3 to 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30. Earlier, conducting officer Mohd Fairus Johari, who is also a Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP), said the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) had applied on Sunday for an inquiry into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina. He said 195 witnesses were involved in the case, although the final list would be determined before the inquest begins. Azreena requested that the witness list be finalised at least two days before the start of proceedings. Other conducting officers are Dana Arabi Wazani, Afiq Agoes and Dacia Jane Romanus, all of whom are also DPP. Zara Qairina had been admitted after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar. In a statement last Wednesday, the AGC said an inquest would be conducted into her death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by police. On Aug 8, the AGC confirmed that Zara Qairina’s body would be exhumed for an autopsy. The exhumation at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Mesapol, Sipitang, was completed at 7.15pm on Aug 9. – Bernama MALACCA: Police are seeking public assistance over a shocking case of animal abuse at the Krubong industrial area, where a dog was found severely injured with parts of its body and head stripped of fur and skinned. Central Melaka police chief ACP Christopher Patit said officers received a report about the incident at 2.43pm on Sunday. “The incident is believed to have occurred last Friday at around 3pm when the complainant, along with representatives from several animal welfare NGOs, responded to a tip-off from the public. “Upon inspection near a factory in the industrial area, the dog was found with serious injuries to its body and neck, suspected to have been caused by abuse,” he said in a statement. The animal was rushed to a veterinary clinic but, after examination, the injuries were deemed too severe. On the advice of the veterinarian, the dog was euthanised to prevent further suffering. The case is being investigated under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which carries penalties of up to RM100,000 in fines, three years’ imprisonment or both. Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Investigating Officer Insp Rizal Kiraman at 013-7702523. – Bernama Police seek witnesses in dog abuse case

o Probe handled with transparency, 195 witnesses called and coroner’s inquest set for September

problems she was enduring. We know her last movements, at 10pm in the dorm, at 11pm and even at 1am. All this serves as corroborative evidence,” he said. The minister warned against the spread of false information, noting that claims Zara had died in a washing machine had fuelled public anger. A teacher who created the viral TikTok content has been arrested and may face charges. “A baseless story was swallowed whole by many, both inside and outside this House. We cannot allow emotions and rumours to dictate justice,” he said. Police have since opened 21 investigation papers into fake news and attempts to incite unrest linked to the case. Saifuddin stressed the government took the matter seriously, warning against efforts to exploit Zara’s death for political or personal gain. “Bullying in schools cannot be ignored and there cannot be any attempt by administrators to downplay such incidents. At the same time, justice must come through evidence and due process – not rumours, social media or political pressure,” he said. The Home Minister also assured Malaysians the government remained committed to securing justice for Zara while safeguarding national security against threats from extremist groups and foreign espionage networks. “Trust that the police will fulfil their duty professionally and responsibly, so that Malaysia remains safe.”

from severe brain injuries. Saifuddin said frontline workers acted promptly, with a medical assistant arriving at 3.45am while Zara was still breathing, and her transfer to hospital completed by 4.27am. A teacher lodged the first police report at 8am and Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, was informed immediately. He acknowledged, however, that police failed to follow procedure when the investigating officer agreed to the mother’s request to skip an autopsy. “Internal action will be taken, but it does not compromise the integrity of the investigation,” he said. After new concerns were raised, police obtained court approval to exhume the body. The autopsy – witnessed by Zara’s mother, family lawyers, a magistrate and forensic experts – confirmed severe brain injuries as the cause of death. A second medical opinion was also secured, with the family’s lawyer expressing satisfaction with the process. Saifuddin confirmed investigations had revealed possible elements of bullying, neglect and even sexual harassment. “Yes, there are elements of bullying. That is clear. There are also elements of neglect as she had complained to the school,” he told Parliament. Police also seized Zara’s personal diary, which he said shed light on the difficulties she faced. “Her diary entries give us a glimpse into the

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has denied allegations of a cover-up in the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, insisting the case has been handled with transparency and professionalism. Addressing the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Saifuddin said police had recorded statements from 195 witnesses, including Zara’s hostel mates, and that investigation papers had been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. A coroner’s inquest has been fixed for September in Kota Kinabalu. “There has been no cover-up whatsoever. Every step has been documented and carried out according to the law. Our only goal is to uncover the truth and deliver justice,” he said. Zara was found unconscious around 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school hostel in Papar, Sabah. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu but died the following day KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested five men believed to be “collectors” and “runners” for an unlicensed moneylending syndicate or “along”, and seized 2,924 ATM cards. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said after conducting surveillance in Subang Jaya, police arrested three local men who were acting suspiciously in front of a bank on Aug 8. Subsequent checks at the premises where the men lived and worked led to the arrest of two more individuals suspected of involvement in the same activities. “Investigations revealed that the individuals were working as collectors and runners, tasked with withdrawing money from ATM cards for an ‘along’ syndicate,” Rusdi said yesterday. A search of the premises uncovered ATM cards, RM119,997 in cash, 14 mobile phones as well as various loan agreement documents and personal details of individuals. Rusdi said those arrested were paid monthly wages of between RM2,500 and RM3,500 to withdraw cash using ATM cards, and had been working with the syndicate for between six months and two years. “They received instructions from their supervisors via the Telegram app. Each day, withdrawals ranged between RM5,000 and RM8,000, after which the money was packaged and sent to a designated address through a Five men held, over 2,900 ATM cards seized

Rusdi said the individuals were working as collectors and runners, tasked with withdrawing money from ATM cards for an “along” syndicate. – BERNAMAPIC

being investigated under Section 424 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951. Police are now working to trace the owners of the ATM cards as well as the masterminds behind the syndicate, Rusdi added. – Bernama

delivery service company,” he said. Further checks revealed that 18 of the account numbers linked to the seized ATM cards did not exist. All suspects, aged between 26 and 36, were released on police bail on August 12. The case is

Eight foreign nationals denied entry ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency has issued Notices of Refusal of Entry (NRE) to eight foreign nationals who failed to comply with visitor entry requirements. In a statement, the agency said the eight

individuals, including three women, from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, attempted to enter Malaysia through the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint. “In total, five men and three women were

issued NRE in accordance with Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. All of them were ordered to return to their countries of origin through the same entry point. The refusal process was carried out in line with standard operating

procedures and directives currently in force,”it said. According to the agency, no seizures were made and there were no elements of crime or enforcement investigation involved in the case. – Bernama