LAWYERS defending several students accused of bullying 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir have warned that Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s description of the teenager’s death as “murder” could amount to contempt of court.
Shafie, a former Sabah chief minister, was reported to have made the remarks at a political event in Batu Sapi on September 19.
His comments, which are the subject of a now viral video on social media, showed him criticising the police’s role and claiming the delay in holding the inquest was unacceptable.
Counsel for the four students identified as B, C, D and E said Shafie’s comments were reckless and risked prejudicing the ongoing judicial proceedings.
Datuk Ram Singh, representing another accused student, A, said the remarks went beyond fair comment.
“This is clearly an affront to the court. Such statements, made while the inquest is still underway, intimidate witnesses and undermine the presumption of innocence,” he said.
The lawyers argued that public remarks of this nature could discourage witnesses from testifying freely and compromise the fairness of the coroner’s inquiry.
There's no formal application has yet been filed but Ram has indicated to reporters earlier that he may file a motion during the ongoing inquest today.
Zara died on 17 July, sparking a coroner’s inquest into allegations that she had been bullied at school. The proceedings, which began earlier this month, are still hearing police evidence, medical findings and witness testimony. - September 22, 2025
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