STAFF at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha (TDM) were reportedly fearful of venturing into public spaces following the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qarina Mahathir on July 17, as widespread social media attacks targeted school personnel.
During the inquest into Zara’s death, Asnie Marjan, the school’s former senior assistant for student affairs, told the Coroner’s Court that teachers faced relentless criticism and slander online.
“Yes, netizens made wild, slanderous and baseless allegations against the teachers. Many teachers deleted their Facebook accounts. Some were afraid to go to malls, shops and markets,” he said.
Asnie, now an officer with the Papar District Education Office, was examined by lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara’s family.
He emphasised that, despite the intense scrutiny, the school had acted appropriately and implemented measures to support its students.
“As the oldest among the teachers at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, I chose to motivate my colleagues after the incident rather than break down in front of them,” he explained.
In response to questions about whether the social media attacks mirrored any mistreatment Zara may have experienced at school on the night of July 15, Asnie said he was unsure and could not provide further details.
He also addressed three separate physical contact incidents — one in March, Zara’s case in July, and another in September — noting that education extends beyond the classroom. “We implemented a discipline programme which, in my view, is quite good,” he stated.
When asked if these programmes were effective in preventing future incidents, he said: “Yes, the programmes planned at SMKA TDM are effective, but these are isolated cases.
“There are still 500 students who are doing well. In my experience, we have around 600 students, and the programmes have had an impact. But it is impossible for us to produce 100 per cent perfect students.”
The inquest into Zara Qarina Mahathir’s death will resume at 2pm, as the court continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and the school’s handling of student welfare in the wake of social media scrutiny. - December 5, 2025
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