No New Charges In Zara Qairina Case Until Inquest Ends - AG

KOTA BHARU, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) does not plan to charge any other individuals in connection with the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir until the inquest proceedings at the Coroner's Court are completed.

Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said that so far, only five female students have been charged in relation to the case.

"As of now, we have no plans to charge any other suspects until the inquest proceedings are complete and the findings reviewed,” he told reporters after launching the AGC’s MADANI Adopted Village programme 2025 at Taman Desa Kemumin, Kampung Padang Tembak today.

He added that the proceedings, currently hearing the pathologist’s testimony, were progressing smoothly.  

Elaborating further, Mohd Dusuki said the AGC would also conduct a comprehensive review of all content uploaded on social media, including TikTok, regarding Zara Qairina's death.

"We hope the inquest process is allowed to run its course. Do not be in a hurry to make comments or any conclusions. Let the pathology expert give their testimony fully... we know some parties have questioned the (pathology) evidence; that is not good," he said.

When asked if the inquest procedure would be expedited, Mohd Dusuki said the proceedings had been set for a specific period and would continue as scheduled.

Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17. She had been admitted after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4 am on July 16.

On Aug 13, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) announced that an inquest would be conducted into her death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police.

On Aug 8, the AGC ordered the exhumation of Zara Qairina's remains to allow for a post-mortem examination.

Five teenage girls were charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children's Court, Sabah, on Aug 20 under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, for making threatening, abusive or insulting words against Zara Qairina.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a fine, or both, upon conviction. 

Meanwhile, today’s MADANI Adopted Village programme marks the AGC's second adopted village, following the success of the first one in Kampung Jilid 8 and the Mukim Bujang Network, Sungai Petani, Kedah, last year.

-- BERNAMA