Amid national outrage over the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned against blindly finding fault in the case.

While on a visit to Sabah today, he noted that the Papar schoolgirl’s death, allegedly linked to bullying, had prompted attacks against the Education Ministry, fuelled by speculation that the perpetrators had high-profile links.

“There was a recent death, and the education minister was attacked over it.

“What is happening to our country? A child died, that is a collective responsibility for us to uncover the facts, not to accuse anyone blindly,” Anwar said in his speech in Kota Kinabalu.

He reaffirmed that police have already recorded statements from 60 individuals, and the completed investigation papers have been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

“The police have submitted the full report to the AGC… and I asked the attorney-general for an update. He said yes, by tomorrow morning we will have it,” he said.

Zara Qairina Mahathir

Zara reportedly died after she was believed to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory building in the early morning of July 16.

Her remains are expected to be exhumed for a post-mortem to be conducted.

The prime minister further reminded Malaysians that this is a nation of laws, not rumours, and warned against turning the tragedy into a political weapon.

“Whoever is involved, and it does not matter if they are a Tan Sri, Datuk Seri, or minister, if they are involved in a crime, murder, or collusion, they will not be protected.

“But do not slander the child of a minister, the deputy prime minister, or the deputy chief minister,” he said.

Anwar also stressed that the government will not shield anyone if crimes are proven, but called for patience as the legal process unfolds.

Cops deny VIP kids involved

Previously, Papar MP Armizan Ali and Sepanggar MP Mustapha Sakmud - a minister and deputy minister, respectively - reportedly denied claims linking them to Zara’s death.

Yesterday, Papar district police chief Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka also reportedly said neither the state governor’s family nor the children of any VIPs were involved in the death.

Separately, the New Straits Times reported that Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, lodged another police report at the Sipitang police station today, on the discovery of extensive bruising on her daughter’s back during the funeral rites at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I on July 17.

According to a statement from her lawyers, Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri, Noraidah only recently recalled the bruises after they questioned her about the condition of Zara’s body.

Cops wrap up Zara death probe, to hand over findings to AGC

Cops wrap up Zara death probe, to hand over findings to AGC

Sabah students' group calls for reforms after Zara's death

Sabah students' group calls for reforms after Zara's death

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Zara's body to be exhumed for post-mortem, MP warns of mental health spin

Cops record statements from 60 witnesses on Sabah student's fatal fall

Cops record statements from 60 witnesses on Sabah student's fatal fall