Malaysia

Cops probe TikTok account over false claims in student's death (UPDATED)

Police are investigating a TikTok account accused of spreading inaccurate and misleading content related to the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir

Updated 11 months ago · Published on 16 Aug 2025 8:20AM

Cops probe TikTok account over false claims in student's death (UPDATED)
Authorities warn of public unrest and disruption to ongoing investigations as a result of the false information being circulated online. - August 16, 2025

A TikTok account is under police scrutiny for allegedly sharing unauthentic and misleading information in connection with the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Datuk M Kumar, confirmed that investigations are being carried out under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(B) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

According to Kumar, the offences involve the improper use of network facilities and services, as well as content that could incite hatred and create public alarm and unrest.

"In this regard, police urge the public to immediately cease such irresponsible actions as they may cause confusion among the community," he said in a statement issued today.

"The spread of unauthentic content has the potential to undermine the smoothness and effectiveness of police investigations," he added.- August 16, 2025

Authorities warn of public unrest and disruption to ongoing investigations as a result of the false information being circulated online. - August 16, 2025

TikTok account under police investigation over false claims in student death case

Police are investigating a TikTok account accused of spreading inaccurate and misleading content related to the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir

A TikTok account is under police scrutiny for allegedly sharing unauthentic and misleading information in connection with the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Datuk M Kumar, confirmed that investigations are being carried out under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(B) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

According to Kumar, the offences involve the improper use of network facilities and services, as well as content that could incite hatred and create public alarm and unrest.

"In this regard, police urge the public to immediately cease such irresponsible actions as they may cause confusion among the community," he said in a statement issued today.

"The spread of unauthentic content has the potential to undermine the smoothness and effectiveness of police investigations," he added.

In a new development, a team from the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) is set to travel to Sabah in the coming days to record statements from three senior police officers involved in the initial investigation into the death of schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, confirmed that a disciplinary investigation paper has been opened against the district police chief (Superintendent), the district’s head of criminal investigation (Assistant Superintendent), and the investigating officer (Inspector) over alleged non-compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“JIPS officers from Bukit Aman will be heading there within a day or two to take statements from the three officers concerned… the investigation focuses on SOP non-compliance in the handling of the Zara Qairina case and the supervision of the investigating officer,” he said.

Ayob Khan was speaking to reporters following the launch of the poetry anthology *Makan Suap* at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka last night.

He added that firm action would be taken against any officer found to have failed in their duties. However, all three officers remain in active service at this stage.

Last Wednesday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director, Datuk M Kumar, revealed in a press conference that early findings by a Bukit Aman special task force indicated procedural lapses by the investigating officer in the case.

Zara Qairina was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on 17 July. She had been found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar at around 4am on 16 July. - August 16, 2025

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