THE police have completed their investigation into the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, and will soon refer the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at an official ceremony in Pahang, Saifuddin confirmed that around 60 witnesses had been interviewed as part of the investigation into the tragic incident at a religious boarding school in Papar, Sabah.
“The investigation is complete. I believe the police will submit the papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers by next week at the latest,” he said.
Zara was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in the early hours of 16 July, after reportedly falling from the third floor. She was pronounced dead a day later at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
Her death prompted a wave of public concern and speculation, particularly on social media, with allegations of bullying and questions over the school’s safety protocols. The hashtag #JusticeForZara trended widely online, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Earlier, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun had stated that the probe focused on two main aspects: the cause of death and the surrounding circumstances at the time of the incident.
In a separate development, Zara’s mother Noraidah Lamat, through her legal counsel, strongly denied any suggestion that she had linked her daughter’s death to politically connected individuals or so-called VIPs.
In a statement released by lawyers Hamid Ismail and Shahlan Jufri, the family urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified claims.
“Our client, the mother of Zara, has never made any statement linking Zara’s death to any high-profile or VIP individual,” the statement read.
“Any such assumptions or allegations are unfounded and did not originate from our client.”
The legal team also addressed a number of online claims, including an alleged altercation between students on the day of the incident and reports of three pupils being transferred out of the school. Noraidah, they said, had no knowledge of such incidents and only became aware of them through viral social media posts.
They stressed that the spreading of false information could interfere with the police investigation and lead to defamation of innocent parties.
“Disseminating false allegations can hinder the police investigation and create unwarranted slander against various individuals,” the lawyers said. “Anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to come forward and share it directly with the authorities or with our legal team.”
Authorities confirmed that 60 individuals, including those named in online rumours, had been questioned. Police have not found any evidence linking Zara’s death to individuals from influential or political backgrounds. Sabah leaders and the state palace have also issued denials of any connection.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin also commented on separate developments involving the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), announcing that the government would continue to enhance maritime capabilities through the construction of two new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and the repatriation of the ex-United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Steadfast, expected to arrive in November.
“These upgrades will help boost morale and improve operational effectiveness in our maritime patrol and enforcement efforts,” he said, following a graduation ceremony at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy in Kuantan. A total of 68 officers and 186 personnel completed their basic training at the event. - August 2, 2025
