Zara Qairina’s mother declined autopsy twice, wanted immediate burial — Saifuddin

THE mother of Zara Qairina Mahathir, the 13-year-old student who died following an alleged bullying incident, declined an autopsy on two separate occasions to expedite her daughter’s burial, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament.

"Investigating officers met the victim’s mother at the hospital on 17 July and informed her of the need to carry out a post-mortem. She stated that she wished to proceed with the burial because her daughter had suffered enough," he said during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat.

Saifuddin added, "There was a procedural lapse on the part of the investigating officer. The mother maintained her decision when approached again by the on-duty doctor at 5pm in the mortuary. The officers respected her wishes."

Zara, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Sabah, was found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel at 3am on 16 July and was pronounced dead the following day.

The minister said that Noraidah Lamat, Zara’s mother, subsequently signed a statutory declaration refusing the post-mortem, witnessed by her sister-in-law. "The decision was well documented and made voluntarily. While this breached criminal procedure code (Act 593), the police acknowledged the error and will take internal action."

He clarified that his statement did not imply any wrongdoing on the mother’s part. "Whether the mother was adequately briefed on the importance of a post-mortem can be explored during the inquest. My intent was to present the facts — not to place blame."

In response to earlier debate in Parliament, Saifuddin stressed that justice must be based on facts and lawful processes, not unverified claims or emotional speculation.

He also addressed viral claims surrounding Zara’s death, including allegations that she was killed in a washing machine and that high-profile individuals were involved. "Investigations involving 195 witnesses found no evidence linking her death to the Sabah Governor’s grandchild or the school principal being a minister’s wife. Nor was there any evidence she was abused in a washing machine. None whatsoever."

He added, "These are toxic allegations. A video by an English teacher went viral claiming Zara was murdered via washing machine. When questioned, the teacher admitted it was merely content creation for TikTok. Unfortunately, many people accepted it at face value."

The teacher has since been arrested and may be charged pending a decision by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Saifuddin concluded by reiterating that the police will not defend procedural errors but are committed to ensuring thorough and transparent investigations in pursuit of truth and justice. - August 18, 2025