Bukit Aman reviewing probe into Zara Qairina's death
PETALING JAYA : Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun says Bukit Aman is reviewing the investigation into the death of religious school student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died after being found unconscious in a drain near her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah.
The 13-year-old Form One student was found at 4am on July 16 after she allegedly fell from the third floor of her school's hostel.
In a Bernama report today, Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said police were not ruling out the possibility that the teen was bullied.
'We have taken this investigation to Bukit Aman for their final review before it is referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers,' he said after an event at the state police headquarters in Kota Kinabalu.
'We have left it to Bukit Aman, being the higher authority, to provide further views regarding the case.'
Jauteh said police are still investigating Zara Qairina's death and have recorded statements from around 60 witnesses, including students, parents and school officials, as part of their probe.
He added that counselling experts were assisting the police by helping traumatised students provide clear statements about Zara Qairina's death.
'Some of the witnesses are also students of the school. If we conduct the investigation in an unprofessional or irregular manner, this will certainly add to their trauma over the death.'
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek yesterday said her ministry is prioritising the case and assured the public that a fair and transparent investigation would be carried out to ensure justice is served.
She also said her ministry's officials have given their full cooperation to the police in its ongoing investigation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
10 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
‘Cheap entertainment': MCMC probes video of youths giving bones to homeless man
CYBERJAYA, Aug 5 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched an investigation into a video widely shared on social media that shows a group of individuals handing leftover food to a homeless man. In a press statement, MCMC said the probe was initiated following public complaints that the content was exploitative and demeaned the dignity of marginalised individuals. 'MCMC views seriously the act of producing and spreading content that exploits marginalised groups purely for cheap entertainment, generating views, and causing public unease,' the commission said. The regulator added that the investigation is being carried out under existing laws, and that firm action will be taken against any parties found guilty. It also reminded the public not to upload or share provocative content that could disrupt public order, warning that the dissemination of offensive, false or threatening material could result in a fine of up to RM500,000, a maximum of two years' imprisonment, or both. 'MCMC remains committed and firm in ensuring that cyberspace is not misused,' it said. A video circulated online recently showed three young men placing chicken bones in a rice packet and handing it to a homeless man, before later feeding actual chicken to a dog. The trio have since posted multiple apology videos, claiming the clip was scripted and that the man was later given a full meal off-camera.
Malay Mail
40 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Abandoned at Kelantan bus stop: Baby boy found wrapped in ‘kain pelikat' in Pasir Puteh
KOTA BHARU, Aug 5 — A baby boy was found abandoned, wrapped in a kain pelikat (sarong), at a bus stop located on Jalan Lama Kulim heading towards the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) in Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, at about 1pm yesterday. Pasir Puteh police chief Supt Zaizul Rizal Zakaria said the baby was placed on the ground at the bus stop. 'The baby has been sent to Tengku Anis Hospital for examination and treatment,' he said in a statement yesterday, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code for abandonment of a child. Those with information regarding the incident are urged to contact the Pasir Puteh police headquarters hotline at 09-7862005 or go directly to the headquarters. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Atipsom crackdown: Eight Malaysians among 15 suspected ‘tekong darat' arrested, over 1,000 nabbed since January
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — Eight Malaysian citizens are among 15 suspected tekong darat, or ground handlers of smuggling activities, who have been arrested by the police in raids conducted under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act in Selangor since January 1 this year. General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade Commander SAC Hakemal Hawari said seven Indonesian tekong darat and 224 illegal immigrants were also arrested during the period. 'In the raids conducted on June 21 and July 22, the GOF team also seized drugs, suspected to be syabu, weighing 10.355 kilogrammes, and 3.6 kilogrammes of ecstasy pills, as well as vehicles, with the total amount of seizure estimated to be worth RM1.5 million,' he said in a statement last night. He said the arrests and seizures were the result of various strategic enforcement approaches targeting smuggling activities, particularly in Malaysian waters along the Selangor coast and the west coast of Johor. According to Hakemal, a total of 288 raids were conducted during the same period across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor. This resulted in the arrest of 1,005 individuals and seizures worth RM1.1 billion, he said, adding that the success proved the GOF's commitment to combating crimes that threaten the country's security and well-being. 'The public is urged to be the eyes and ears of the security forces, channel information regarding criminal activities to ensure that the country's borders continue to remain free from encroachment and illegal activities,' he said. — Bernama
