Latest news with #JautehDikun
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bukit Aman reviewing probe into Zara Qairina's death
Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun said they have left it to Bukit Aman, being the higher authority, to provide further views on the case. (Bernama pic) 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.
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Statements Recorded From 60 Witnesses On Zara Qairina's Fatal Fall
KOTA KINABALU, July 31 (Bernama) -- Police have recorded statements from about 60 witnesses, including students, parents and school officials, in connection with the investigation into the death of religious school student Zara Qairina, 13, on July 17, according to Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun. He said police are also assisted by counselling experts to help traumatised students give clear statements about the incident. "We have taken this investigation to Bukit Aman for observation and final review before referring it to the Attorney-General's Chambers. We have left it to Bukit Aman, being a higher authority, to provide further views regarding the case. "We do not rule out the possibility of the allegation (that Zara was a victim) of bullying but the investigation is still ongoing," he said after attending the Sabah's celebration of 2025 Warriors' Day at the Sabah police contingent headquarters (IPK) here today. The function was officiated by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Musa Aman. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was also present. Zara Qairina was confirmed dead (taken off life support as doctors diagnosed no brain function) at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 11 am on July 17, a day after she allegedly fell from the third floor and laid unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at 4 am on July 16. Jauteh said police investigation is currently focused on two main elements: the cause of death and the victim's surrounding environment. He said the public demands a transparent and thorough investigation into the case, hence, police are taking some time to complete the investigation in an orderly and professional manner. On July 18, he said, Sabah police had sent a special team to conduct an investigation at the school.
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah police probe possible bullying in Zara Qairina's death, deny VIP cover-up claims
KOTA KINABALU, July 31 — Police are investigating whether bullying was a factor in the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir at a religious school in Papar earlier this month, as part of the larger probe. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said today that the investigation is in its final stages, with statements recorded from over 60 individuals, including students, parents, and school staff. 'The investigation is now focusing on two elements: the cause of death and the surrounding environment. 'We do not rule out the possibility of bullying allegations, based on what has been uncovered so far,' Jauteh told reporters after attending the state-level Warriors' Day celebration at the Sabah Police Headquarters here. He confirmed that three students — nicknamed 'Kak Wana,' 'Kak Dedeng,' and 'Tomboi' — who were mentioned on social media in connection with the teenager's death, have also been investigated. Jauteh denied accusations circulating online that the case may involve the child of a prominent figure, including himself, leading to a cover-up. He described such claims as irresponsible. 'There have been allegations that children of VIPs, including my own, attend the school. I want to state clearly that none of my children have ever studied there,' he said. 'As for whether any elected representatives' children are enrolled, I cannot confirm... However, I must stress again: I have no children who have ever, or are currently, studying there.' He added that malicious individuals were creating unhealthy narratives around a case that must be treated with sensitivity, as it involves minors. Addressing public demands for a thorough and transparent investigation, Jauteh explained the complexity of the process. 'We had to interview 60 witnesses, and these statements couldn't be gathered all at once... If we conducted this probe in an unprofessional way, it would only worsen their trauma. The investigation team was supported by professional counsellors so the students could express what really happened,' he said. He said the investigation papers have been sent to Bukit Aman for final review before being referred to the Attorney General's Chambers. Zara, a Form One student, was found unconscious on the ground floor of her school dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar during the early hours of July 16, believed to have fallen from the third floor. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The case has attracted national attention, fuelled by unverified allegations from family members claiming she was a victim of constant bullying and sexual assault. This has led to public claims that the investigation was being handled poorly and without transparency. In response, Sabah Law Society president Datuk Nazim Maduarin has called for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation. 'The case has raised disturbing questions surrounding school safety, student welfare, and institutional response,' he said. 'Our stand is clear: This case must not be swept under the rug and must not be forgotten.'
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Public urged to stop speculating on Zara Qairina's death
KOTA KINABALU: The public should stop speculating on the death of a Form One female student at a dormitory building in a religious school in Papar, urge police. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the incident was currently under investigation. "I urge members of the public to remain calm and not speculate while awaiting the outcome of the investigations. "Our investigation is conducted thoroughly and transparently," he said in a brief statement issued here Monday (July 28). The victim, Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, died a day after she allegedly fell from the third floor of the school's dormitory building on July 16. She died at the hospital the next day. Her death had sparked various allegations, including that she was a victim of bullying at the school. The Education Ministry has left the matter for police investigation amid political and community calls for a full investigation into the events that led to her death. Social media was abuzz with calls for thorough investigations to establish the truth, with the solidarity #JusticeForZara hashtag going viral.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Zara Qairina's death still under police investigation
KOTA KINABALU: Police are still investigating the death of a female student from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, Limauan, Papar. Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, is believed to have died after falling from the third floor of the school's dormitory building. She was found seriously injured at about 3am on July 16 beneath the dormitory building, before being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital here for further treatment. However, she was pronounced dead at 1pm the following day. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the case is currently under investigation. "Police will conduct a thorough and transparent investigation from all angles. "The public is urged to remain calm and not speculate until the investigation is complete," he said in a statement today. The incident had earlier gone viral on social media, prompting widespread reactions after it was linked to alleged bullying said to have taken place at the school. The victim's mother, 45-year-old Noraidah Lamat, who is also a teacher, expressed hope that the investigation would be conducted fairly, justly and transparently. The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for justice, not only among Sabahans but across the country. The hashtag #JusticeForZara continues to trend across various social media platforms in a show of public solidarity over the teenager's death.
