Ivana Smit's mother wins lawsuit over alleged breaches in death investigation
29 Jul 2025 11:09am
The High Court here today awarded RM1.1 million in damages to the mother of Dutch model Ivana Esther Robert Smit, whose nude body was found on the sixth-floor balcony of a condominium here eight years ago. - File photo
KUALA LUMPUR - The High Court here today awarded RM1.1 million in damages to the mother of Dutch model Ivana Esther Robert Smit, whose nude body was found on the sixth-floor balcony of a condominium here eight years ago.
Christina Carolina Gerarda Johanna Verstappen had sued the Inspector-General of Police, Dang Wangi investigating officer ASP Faizal Abdullah, the Home Minister, and the Malaysian government for alleged breach of statutory duties and negligence in the investigation into the cause of her daughter's death.
In her judgment, Judge Roz Mawar Rozain ordered the defendants to pay RM500,000 in general damages, RM300,000 in aggravated damages, and RM300,000 in exemplary damages to Verstappen. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
PM: No immunity in Zara's death probe
Anwar speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that no individual implicated in the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir will receive protection, regardless of rank or title. He has directed Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the probe is conducted swiftly and comprehensively. 'There was a death recently, and the Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) is being attacked and accused of various things. What has become of our country? This death is not a trivial matter,' he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 here on Sunday. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. Anwar also reminded the public not to make speculations or accusations without evidence, emphasising that Malaysia is a nation founded on the rule of law. 'This is a nation of law, not slander. Whoever is involved in a criminal act such as murder will not be protected,' Anwar said. 'Death is not something to be taken lightly. Even if there is a child of a poor farmer from Kundasang, if there is a death, it would be our responsibility to find out the cause.' Anwar said that whoever are involved in murders and crimes — a Tan Sri, a Datuk Seri or a minister — they will not be given any protection. 'But do not slander others, whether it's a minister's child or deputy prime minister's child. What is happening with this slander without proof?' Zara Qairina, 13, was believed to have fallen from the third floor and was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16. She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital here on July 17. The student's death quickly went viral, sparking widespread public reaction on social media. On Saturday, Mohd Khalid said the investigation paper regarding Zara Qairina's death had been completed and would be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers for further action. Police have recorded statements from 60 witnesses, including students and staff of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan, and three individuals nicknamed 'Kak Wana,' 'Kak Dedeng,' and 'Tomboi' who were cited in social media rumors. The probe focuses on two angles: the cause of death (including possible bullying) and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigation papers are now with Bukit Aman for review before submission to the Attorney General's Chambers. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Musa Aman, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mustapha Sakmud, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun have refuted claims of their families' involvement of the case. Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, has distanced herself from viral claims linking her daughter's death to VIPs. Her lawyers clarified she 'never mentioned any high-profile individual' and urged the public to stop spreading unverified allegations . Police confirmed no evidence ties VIPs to the case.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Action movie' rescue: 78-year-old woman's car towed off tracks seconds before train speeds through in Germany
BERLIN, Aug 3 — A 78-year-old woman's car was towed off railway tracks just seconds before a train sped through a crossing in central Germany, German Press Agency (dpa) reported on Sunday, citing local police. The woman had become stuck on the tracks Saturday evening in the town of Rothenstein, in the state of Thuringia, as the crossing barriers began to lower and a train approached. According to police, a passing truck driver stopped to help. The man, a local resident, used his vehicle to tow the stranded car clear of the tracks. 'Seconds later, the train rushed past,' police said in a statement, describing the scene like something out of an 'action movie.' The woman was unharmed but visibly shaken. Authorities said she will face charges for endangering rail traffic. — Bernama-dpa
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian women caught faking divorce papers to marry lovers in Thailand
KOTA BARU: The Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council has uncovered several cases involving Malaysian women attempting to deceive its religious officers by submitting forged divorce or death certificates to marry new Malaysian partners in southern Thailand. Its deputy president Abdul Aziz Che Mamat said such cases had been detected over the past few years, with most of the individuals involved hailing from Kelantan. "We have recorded numerous instances where Malaysian women submitted falsified documents claiming they were either divorced or widowed to facilitate remarriage in southern Thailand," he said. Abdul Aziz said some women went as far as altering names and dates on official documents, including tampering with divorce certificates, to bypass the marriage vetting process. He said the council treats such matters seriously and will immediately halt the solemnisation process upon detecting any fraudulent activity. "There were cases where my officers, unaware of the deception, allowed the marriage to proceed. "However, the registration was later revoked after the actual husband came forward to confirm that he was still alive and that they were not divorced," he added. He said the Malaysian women who attempted to deceive the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council were, in most cases, already divorced. However, some had either not yet received the official divorce certificate or had lost the documents. "These women may have been eager to marry their new partners and were willing to do whatever it took to speed up the marriage process," he said. He said it is a mandatory requirement for any Malaysian man intending to marry a divorced woman at any recognised religious office or mosque in southern Thailand to provide a copy of the divorce certificate or the death certificate of the woman's previous husband. Abdul Aziz warned that such dishonest practices could jeopardise the legal status and future of children born from these marriages, particularly in matters relating to identity documentation, citizenship, and inheritance. "These children could face complications when registering their births, enrolling in school, or proving their legitimacy later in life," he said. In response, the council has tightened procedures for cross-border marriages, especially those involving foreign nationals. He said recent efforts to curb illegal and questionable marriages have yielded positive results. "Cases involving syndicate-driven marriages and underage unions have significantly declined thanks to improved cooperation and greater awareness among couples following our outreach and educational briefings," he said. Previously, the council had dealt with numerous cases involving syndicates, underage girls, and pregnant women, he said.
