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In Parliament on Monday, 18 August, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail shared key findings from the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir
He dismissed several rumours and allegations surrounding the case, stressing that every investigative step has been conducted in accordance with the law.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Image via Bernama/New Straits TimesHere are six claims he debunked:
1. There was no cover-up in the investigation
Saifuddin said every step since Zara was found lying in a hostel drain on 16 July followed proper procedure.
"From the very first moment of the incident at 3am on 16 July when Zara was found, every step taken by the parties involved followed standard operating procedures," he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Providing a timeline, he said a medical assistant arrived at 3.45am and confirmed that Zara was still breathing at the time.
"She had fallen, but she was still breathing. The medical assistant's quick arrival that morning shows the fast and committed response of our frontliners. That is a statement of fact," he said.
2. There was no delay by the school
Saifuddin said the school contacted the victim's mother, Noraidah Lamat, at 4am that same morning and immediately sent her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she was placed on respiratory support.
"This proves the school did not delay or hesitate in informing the family, namely her mother," he said, adding that Zara, unfortunately, passed away at 1.07pm on 17 July.
3. The lack of an initial post-mortem was a procedural lapse, not a cover-up
The Home Minister confirmed that Zara's mother initially refused a post-mortem because she wanted to expedite the burial.
"She requested to expedite the burial as she felt her daughter had already suffered enough.
"When asked again by the investigating officer, the mother maintained she did not want a post-mortem and signed an official refusal, witnessed by her sister-in-law. The decision was documented legally, and the officer respected it," he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Saifuddin acknowledged this was a lapse in procedure, but stressed it did not compromise the investigation.
"This was considered non-compliance, and the matter has since been reprimanded, with internal action to be taken by the police," he assured.
4. The police did not delay their probe
Saifuddin said the police opened a Sudden Death Report at 6.54pm on the same evening Zara was declared dead and buried.
"This is proof the investigation did not stop.
"Between 18 and 25 July, police called 38 witnesses. To date, statements from 195 witnesses have been recorded," he said.
5. Rumours about VIPs and a washing machine are false
Saifuddin refuted claims that VIPs were involved, that the school principal was a minister's wife, or that Zara died in a washing machine.
"None of these claims were substantiated by the statements recorded from 195 witnesses," he said.
6. Elements of bullying and neglect in the case were not ignored
"I will not deny it — there are elements of bullying in this case. That much is clear. Therefore, any suggestion that there was an attempt to hide bullying is false.
"Our investigation also looked into elements of neglect, as Zara had made complaints to the school," said Saifuddin, adding that there were also possible elements of sexual harassment.
He said the Attorney General's Chambers will decide on the charges, adding that the inquest scheduled for September will ensure full transparency in the case.
Saifuddin also revealed that a teacher gave the late student's diary to investigators
Saifuddin said Zara's 51-page diary, filled with her personal thoughts about her struggles, provided crucial evidence in the investigation.
He added that Bukit Aman psychologists were able to establish a timeline of her final hours and are now working to assess her mental state at the time.
"We were able to determine her final moments, where she was at 11pm, and what happened at the dorm at 10pm. All of this is corroborative evidence that we will compile," he said.
