Teacher pleads not guilty over false claims on TikTok about Zara's case

An English teacher has claimed trial at the Sepang Magistrate's Court today over statements she made on her TikTok account earlier this month regarding Zara Qairina Mahathir’s case.

Siti Hajar Aflah Sharuddin, 39, pleaded not guilty before magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani to the charge of issuing statements that may cause or incite individuals to cause public unrest.

Following the plea, the accused, charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, now faces a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, or fine, or both.

According to the charge sheet, she was accused of making the statement via her TikTok account on Aug 6, which was viewed by an individual at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The teacher, in a TikTok live session, had claimed that the 13-year-old Sabah student was placed inside a washing machine.

Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Izhar requested that the court consider imposing RM10,000 bail on her, but her lawyer, Zaiful Bahrin Kamde, rebutted.

“The accused is a single mother, with a RM5,000 salary as a civil servant, with three kids and her parents to look after.

“She fully cooperated with the authorities during the investigation, and she appeared on her own in the court today to face the charge.

“We humbly request that the court consider ordering RM3,000 as bail,” said Zaiful.

The judge then ordered RM4,000 bail and fixed Oct 9 for case mention.

Teenagers charged

Zara was found unconscious at her school in Papar, Sabah, on July 16. She died the next day.

Her death triggered a wave of public vigils in Sabah and beyond under the banner “Justice for Zara” and reignited debate on whether Malaysia’s laws are adequate to address bullying that escalates into serious harm.

Yesterday, five teenagers were charged and pleaded not guilty at Kota Kinabalu Children’s Court, with allegedly making threatening or insulting communications with common intention.

Their charge was framed under Section 507(1) of the Code and read together with Section 34, where they now face up to one year in prison, or fine, or both.

Their identities remained sealed as per the Child Act 2001, which prohibits publishing names, images or any information on minors that could lead to their identification.

The court also imposed a gag order restricting parties involved in the case from disclosing details to the public.

The Attorney-General’s Chamber previously said that a school teacher would face charges over her false claim that Zara had been placed in a washing machine.

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