OPPOSITION Members of Parliament have called on the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to explain why a post-mortem was not immediately conducted following the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose passing has triggered widespread concern over alleged bullying in a Sabah religious school.
During the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN–Kota Bharu) questioned why standard procedures were not followed in the immediate aftermath of the teenager’s death.
“This is the standard procedure in sudden death cases. So why did the police not perform a post-mortem in this case?” he asked.
Zara Qairina, a Form One student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, was found unconscious near her school dormitory on 16 July and died in hospital the following day. Her death has since sparked public outrage over claims of bullying and alleged mishandling of the initial investigation.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN–Indera Mahkota), interjecting during the debate, proposed a broader inquiry to determine if misconduct or external interference had compromised the original investigation.
“Do you agree that the Inspector-General of Police should ensure the current investigation identifies the officers involved in the flawed initial probe, determines whether any instructions were issued that led to weaknesses, and takes disciplinary or legal action where necessary?” Saifuddin asked.
Supporting the sentiment, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN–Beluran) accused authorities of neglecting due process.
“There has been a blatant disregard for procedures in this case. That’s what has led to public suspicion and the impression that something is being concealed,” he said.
Takiyuddin welcomed these points and requested they be recorded as part of his contribution to the debate.
On Monday, the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) at Bukit Aman dispatched a nine-member special task force to Sabah to assume control of the investigation.
Zara’s remains were exhumed on Saturday, and a second post-mortem was carried out over eight hours at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, with the body reburied that same night in Sipitang.
Meanwhile, calls for justice have also reached Parliament’s gates. Around 50 students and civil society representatives marched from Taman Tugu to Parliament this morning under the banner of Sekretariat Solidariti Zara, urging the government to act decisively against bullying in schools.
The group submitted a memorandum to government backbenchers, including Segamat MP R Yuneswaran and Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.
Spokesperson Hamdin Nordin said the protest sought to amplify public solidarity and push for accountability.
“This memorandum is the people’s voice demanding justice not only for Zara Qairina, but for all victims of bullying in Malaysia,” he said.
The group submitted four demands to the Ministry of Education regarding bullying prevention and seven specific points to the Ministry of Home Affairs and PDRM concerning the investigation into Zara’s death. - August 12, 2025
