Zara Qairina's family requests different charge for alleged bullies with penalty of up to 10 years' prison

This is the first time newly introduced anti-bullying laws will be used.

August 19, 2025, 04:52 PM

Five teenagers allegedly involved in the bullying of a Malaysian girl, which is alleged to have ultimately led to her death, will be charged in the Juvenile Court on Aug. 20, the Malaysian Attorney-General (AG) said on Aug. 18.

The accused, all minors under 18 years old, face a charge for verbal harassment through using threatening, abusive or insulting words, and could face one years' imprisonment, a fine or both if convicted.

This will be the first time that the clause, newly gazetted last month in honour of a cyberbullying victim who died by suicide in 2024, will be used in a case.

Zara Qairina

The 13-year-old victim, Zara Qairina Mahathir, died on Jul. 17 after falling from the third floor of her school dormitory.

While investigations initially ruled Zara's death an accident, reports revealed that she was allegedly a victim of school bullying, leading to speculations of foul play.

Rumours of a cover-up by authorities eventually led to nationwide outrage, with thousands of Malaysians gathering on the streets in Sabah to demand justice for Zara.

Zara's mother also requested for her daughter's body to be exhumed for post-mortem examination on Aug. 10, and an inquest is set to take place in court from Sep. 3, Malay Mail reported.

Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the investigations will centre on bullying, neglect and sexual harassment.

195 witnesses' statements are set to be taken into account at the inquest.

Family requested death charge

Following the AG's announcement, Zara's family has requested for a harsher charge to be imposed on the five alleged perpetrators instead.

According to Malay Mail, the family's lawyer suggested imposing a different section of the Penal Code, which would directly link them to Zara's death.

Under the new section, the five teenagers could be charged for "causing a person to believe that harm will be caused", and can result in ten years' imprisonment, a fine or both.

If found guilty, it would be implied that the alleged bullies' actions had caused Zara to commit suicide.

"We hope further investigations will be pursued in that direction, and the prosecution held back for the time being," the lawyer said, according to New Straits Times.

The family also reportedly requested that the teenagers face the most serious charge that evidence can support, should enough proof surface.

In the event their request is overturned and the original charge is imposed, a constitutional protection order against "double jeopardy" will prevent the five individuals from being charged with a harsher sentence.