Probe papers on Zara's death sent to AGC this morning, Saifuddin says

Summary

• Saifuddin says investigation papers on Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death were handed over to AGC this morning.

• PAS MP Takiyuddin questions why an inquest into Zara’s death is being held before the probe is completed.

PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the investigation paper on Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir's death was handed to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) this morning.

Speaking during a minister's briefing in the Dewan Rakyat, Saifuddin said the updated papers were submitted based on findings of a special task force from Bukit Aman which had taken over the probe last week. 

He also confirmed the inquest into her death. 

Saifuddin said the police investigation into the tragic death centred on three key elements, namely bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment.

“I do not rule out the presence of bullying. From the conclusions we have drawn, bullying is evident.

“Schools should be safe places for our children, and school administrators must understand that any such incidents must be addressed transparently. That is why our investigation is focused on the element of bullying.

“There was also an element of neglect as the girl (Zara) had previously made complaints to the school.

"So we investigated that, as well as the element of sexual harassment,” he said.

Why an inquest?

During the debates, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) questioned why an inquest into Zara's death is being held before the investigation has been completed.

Citing his experience as a magistrate, Takiyuddin said the normal procedure is to hold an inquest only if the evidence of an investigation is lacking.

"What if the finding or verdict in this inquest contradicts the investigation made by the police? This creates a problem. 

"Finish the investigation first; if there is no conclusion from the investigation, then only refer (it for an inquest)," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Earlier today, the Coroner's Court set Sept 3 to commence inquest proceedings into the child's death.

Inquest starts in September

Coroner Azreena Aziz today scheduled the proceedings to run from Sept 3 to 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30.

Earlier, conducting officer Fairus Johari, who is also a deputy public prosecutor, said the AGC yesterday applied for an inquiry into Zara's death.

He said 195 witnesses are involved in the case, but the final witness list will be determined before the inquest begins.

In his winding-up speech, Saifuddin said that investigations also included Zara's diary, which was read by psychiatric experts from Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women, and Child Investigation Division (D11).

The diary provided the authorities with information such as where she was at various times of the night before she was found as well as incidents that happened that night.

"All of that is corroborative evidence," he explained.

Besides the findings from her exhumation, the authorities had included reports from the Pathology Department and chemistry experts.

Zara was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I on July 17.

She had been admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar at 4am on July 16.

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