03/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 3, 2026

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WFH for civil servants with long commutes

Teen’s death ‘most consistent with suicide’ PETALING JAYA: The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir is “most consistent with suicide”, a forensic psychiatric expert told the Coroner’s Court yesterday, citing findings from a psychological autopsy. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Chua Sze Hung, 43, said the victim exhibited more suicide risk factors than protective factors at the time of the incident, according to a Malay daily. The 67th witness said he had prepared, signed and sealed an 84-page psychiatric report dated Feb 2 for the court, focusing on the likelihood of suicide and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s mental state. He said materials reviewed included Zara Qairina’s diary, the scene of the incident, the autopsy report by consultant forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, counselling records, visits to her hostel and dormitory, as well as interviews with family members and staff of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha and her former primary school. “There was information indicating emotional disturbance, intense anger, self-harming behaviour, unstable interpersonal relationships and fear of abandonment. However, this was insufficient to establish a retrospective diagnosis of a personality disorder. “Although there were indicators of depressive symptoms, I do not believe the deceased suffered from a severe diagnosable mental illness prior to the incident. “The convergence of predisposing and precipitating factors suggests the final act was most likely an attempt to end her suffering, occurring during a state of acute and overwhelming stress, impaired judgement and reduced access to normal protective mechanisms, rather than a carefully planned act,” he said while reading his witness statement before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan. Chua added that suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among older adolescents, noting that nearly three in five youth suicide cases had no prior documented mental health diagnosis. He said studies showed Malaysian adolescents aged 13 to 15 face a higher risk of suicide attempts compared with other age groups, with those from separated families also exhibiting a higher likelihood. “In this case, predisposing risk factors included, but were not limited to, stressful life events, negative self-perception, perceived bullying, unsatisfactory academic performance, substance use history, anger or verbal aggression, non suicidal self-injury, parental separation, parent child conflict, social sensitivity, depressive symptoms, behavioural issues and a desire to die. “Precipitating factors included stressful events (interrogation) and feelings of isolation. Other contributing conditions included chronic sleep deprivation and distress linked to disciplinary reminders by wardens,” he said. He added that several suicide risk factors were present even before the victim enrolled at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha. On Sept 17, the Sabah Attorney-General’s Chambers applied to the Health Ministry to conduct a psychiatric evaluation to assist the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death. A three-member team comprising Chua, child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Nurulwafa Hussain and clinical psychologist Norhameza Ahmad Badruddin was appointed by the Health director-general on Sept 19, 2025, to carry out the assessment using a psychological autopsy approach. Chua said he had previously testified as an expert witness in cases involving murder, drug trafficking and sexual offences under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the High Court, Sessions Court and Syariah Courts nationwide. Zara Qairina was found unconscious on the ground floor of her school hostel and was pronounced dead on July 17, 2025, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

address Resource Management Information System,” he said. He added that officers will record attendance using the SPOT-Me system, which tracks check-ins via geolocation on mobile devices from home. Wan Ahmad Dahlan said officers are required to check in every hour, while department heads will monitor compliance and productivity. He added that the directive will also extend to state public services, statutory bodies and local authorities, subject to approval by their respective authorities. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Cabinet had agreed to implement WFH arrangements across government ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies from April 15. He added in a special address that the move aims to reduce fuel consumption and safeguard the country’s energy sustainability. Anwar also urged the private sector to adopt similar WFH arrangements where possible. He added that the Treasury is currently spending RM4 billion monthly to absorb rising crude oil prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. in the Human

o Government allows three days at home from April 15 to ease fuel costs amid energy crisis

PETALING JAYA: Civil servants facing commutes longer than 8km will be allowed to work from home three days a week starting April 15 as the government moves to ease disruption amid rising tensions linked to the West Asia conflict. Public Service Department director general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the phased work-from-home (WFH) scheme will cover officers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and all state capitals. He added that WFH days will differ depending on state working schedules. For states with Sunday as the weekly rest day, WFH will be from Tuesday to Thursday, with Mondays and Fridays excluded. For Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, where Friday is the weekly rest day, WFH will be from Monday to Wednesday, with Sundays and Thursdays excluded. “The implementation follows the Human Resource Service Circular Clause SR.4.1.2 on Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the Work From Home policy, with additional conditions tailored to the current situation,” he said. Several critical sectors will be exempt, including security and defence services such as the Malaysian Armed Forces, police, Fire and Rescue Department, Prisons Department, Malaysian Martime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency and the Immigration Department. Healthcare professionals, including medical officers, pharmacists, dental officers and nurses, as well as education service officers involved in school sessions, are also excluded. Wan Ahmad Dahlan said department heads have been instructed to implement WFH arrangements while ensuring service delivery remains uninterrupted. “They are required to identify essential services and organise WFH schedules based on operational needs to ensure service delivery is not disrupted. “Civil servants working from home must operate from their registered residential

ILLEGAL BREW ... Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi displaying seized ketum beverage during a press conference at Menara Kastam Johor yesterday after busting a syndicate and detaining three individuals on Feb 27. – BERNAMAPIC

RM1.9m frozen meat haul seized in raids KUALA LUMPUR: The police seized 97 boxes of frozen chicken without halal certification and 34 tonnes of pork carcasses worth RM1.5 million in an integrated operation in Kampung Baru Subang, Selangor on Wednesday. Health Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Inland Revenue Board, Quarantine and Inspection Services

in investigations, while several agencies issued compounds for various offences. All detainees were taken to the Sungai Buloh district police headquarters for further action. He added that the operation crippled a syndicate involved in smuggling, distributing and selling contraband frozen food in the Klang Valley, noting that monitoring will be stepped up to ensure food safety and compliance with regulations. – Bernama

Department and the Customs Department. “In addition to the frozen food items, police also seized three weighing scales and three one-tonne lorries, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM1.9 million,” he said in a statement yesterday. Mohd Zaki said 32 individuals, including three company owners and managers aged between 22 and 59, were detained to assist

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department, Wildlife Crime Bureau commander SAC Mohd Zaki Ashar said the seizures followed raids on three premises in the area. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Veterinary Services Department,