Zaid: Death, graft in Sabah expose law enforcement's crumbling integrity

The death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir and the mining corruption scandal in Sabah have thrust law enforcement agencies into unprecedented scrutiny, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said.

He warned that the two cases have “laid bare disturbing weaknesses” in the government’s ability - and perhaps even its will - to deliver truth and justice.

In Zara’s case, Zaid questioned why a full forensic autopsy was not conducted immediately, and why established investigative standard operating procedures for a child’s death were ignored.

He noted that on Aug 2, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the investigation was complete and had been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Yet, just over a week later, Bukit Aman revealed it had taken over the probe.

“How does Bukit Aman take over a case that is supposedly ‘completed’? This direct contradiction between the home minister’s statement and police action raises serious questions about credibility, coordination, and truthfulness within the Home Ministry.

“Is the minister in control of his ministry? Or is he making public statements without any factual basis?

“The public does not deserve confusion, it deserves clear, honest answers. What exactly is the home minister doing?” he asked in a social media post.

On the corruption scandal, Zaid noted how, after a prolonged investigation, MACC only charged two assemblypersons despite more than a dozen from the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah being implicated.

“What about the others allegedly caught on recording accepting bribes? Are they untouchable? Above the law?” he asked.

Why wait for ’viral outrage’?

Without mincing words, Zaid said the police and MACC - the twin pillars of law enforcement - have taken a serious hit to public confidence over their handling of these cases.

“It is hard to escape the conclusion that action is only taken after public outrage explodes on social media. Has ‘viral outrage’ now replaced professional duty as the trigger for justice?

“If the public had stayed silent, would these cases have been buried?

“This is a dangerous and corrosive precedent. We cannot have a system where justice depends on trending hashtags. Justice delayed is justice denied and silence is not justice,” he added.

Although the issue has been brought into sharp focus by Zara’s death and the Sabah mining scandal, the fact remains that law enforcement agencies have long struggled with a trust deficit.

This is especially glaring when investigations involve VVIPs.

Critics argue that despite Pakatan Harapan’s promises of reform, little has changed in the way the system operates under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysiakini wants to hear from you

COMMENT | No more waiting for another child to die

Principal, wardens at Zara's school transferred out pending probe

Love triangle: Sabah Umno says 'no compromise' on seats won

Taki: Probe, punish those behind botched initial probe on Zara's death