'Allow space for transparent probe into deaths of Zara and Syamsul'

Summary

• PKR Youth’s Legal and Public Complaints Bureau urges public to allow space for a transparent probe into the deaths of Zara Qairina Mahathir and Syamsul Haris Shamsudin.

• Bureau stresses justice must remain the highest priority.

PKR Youth’s Legal and Public Complaints Bureau has urged the public to allow space for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into the deaths of Zara Qairina Mahathir and Syamsul Haris Shamsudin.

In a statement, bureau head Khairul Naim Rafidi extended condolences to the families of the two young victims, noting the profound impact their deaths have had on their loved ones and the wider Malaysian public.

The bureau acknowledged public concern over the cases but pointed to the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ recent directive for further investigations, including the exhumation of Zara’s remains for a post-mortem examination.

Khairul said the move reflected the authorities’ commitment to securing all facts and evidence before drawing any conclusions.

“Justice for the victims and their families must remain the highest priority, and it can only be achieved through a meticulous investigative process supported by complete and credible evidence.

“We owe it to the families, and to the truth itself, to ensure that the answers eventually provided are indeed the right ones,” he said.

Understanding that both families have appointed legal counsel to represent their interests, PKR Youth said it respected this role and pledged to monitor the matter closely, raising public interest issues through appropriate channels.

Protect informants

Khairul also stressed the importance of protecting individuals who come forward with information, including safeguarding their identities to prevent intimidation or retaliation.

The bureau further recommended periodic reviews of safety and welfare guidelines for students and trainees in all training and educational institutions, with input from relevant stakeholders, to ensure high standards of protection and to prevent similar tragedies.

Zara was found unconscious in a drain below her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.

According to the Daily Express, her body reached the Queen Elizabeth Hospital late yesterday for a CT scan before being moved to the Forensic Pathology Department.

The report quoted the family lawyer Hamid Ismail saying the autopsy, scheduled for this morning under one Dr Jessie Hiu. The process is expected to be completed the same day to allow for reburial.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that Zara’s death will be investigated transparently, without protecting anyone.

Syamsul’s death probe

In the case of Syamsul, the Johor university student died during a Reserve Officers Training Unit (Rotu) exercise in Ulu Tiram, Johor.

His mother, informed of his death on July 28, expressed suspicions that her 22-year-old son had been murdered and called for a full investigation.

Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman later said no criminal elements or external injuries were initially found on Syamsul’s body, though laboratory results are pending to confirm the cause of death.

Defence Minister Khaled Nordin has announced the formation of an inter-ministry committee to probe his death.

Yesterday, Dusun Tua assemblyperson Johan Abd Aziz said that Syamsul’s mother is willing to have her son’s body exhumed to aid the investigation.

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