Home minister to address Zara's case in Parliament

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will address Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death in Parliament on Monday.

He said it was essential to clarify the issue as members of the lower house had widely raised the matter.

"I have chosen Monday (to deliver the minister's statement) in Parliament on this issue," he told reporters after chairing the Main Committee for the Management of Foreigners in Sabah meeting and the Sabah State Special Committee on Citizenship Status meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Zara was confirmed dead at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17 after being admitted to the hospital when found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, at 4am on July 16.

Two days ago, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar said the investigation into the death, previously classified as a sudden death, will now focus on potential criminal elements, including bullying.

The Attorney-General's Chambers will also conduct an inquest into the student's death after reviewing the police’s investigation report.

Rafizi’s son’s case

On Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli's son's attack, the home minister said the police would make every effort to track down the perpetrator.

Saifuddin said the matter was not about whose child was involved but about the police's responsibility in ensuring public order, safety and the protection of all citizens, especially children.

"I leave it to the wisdom and swiftness of the police to handle this, and I pray that his son and wife recover quickly from the trauma," he added.

It was reported yesterday that the former economy minister’s son was dragged out of their family car by two individuals dressed in black, with full-face helmets, and stabbed with a syringe at a shopping mall in Putrajaya near 2pm.

- Bernama

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