M'sian girl, 13, dies after fall from school, mother suspects foul play & demands 'transparent' investigation

A 13-year-old Form 1 (equivalent to Secondary 1 level) student, Zara Qairina Mahathir, was found unconscious at a drain near her dormitory at around 3am on Jul. 16.

The incident took place at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, a school in Papar, Sabah.

Zara allegedly fell from the third floor

Zara allegedly fell from the third floor of the dormitory building, New Straits Times (NST) reported.

She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead a day later on Jul. 17.

She was later buried at Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol in Sipitang, Sabah.

According to The Star, Papar district police chief Superintendent Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka stated that the police had received a report regarding the incident at around 8:16am on Jul. 16.

He affirmed that investigations were ongoing to identify the cause of death, as well as to piece together the events that led up to the incident.

This came after several claims had emerged online, alleging that Zara was a victim of school bullying.

NST reported that Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said on Jul. 18 that the education ministry would extend its full cooperation to the authorities, adding that investigations must be allowed to carry on without any interference.

Zara's mother called for a transparent probe into her daughter's death

45-year-old Noraidah Lamat, Zara's mother, stated that she wanted a "transparent, fair and just investigation" into her daughter's death, NST reported.

She revealed that the last time she saw Zara was on Jul. 12, when Zara's school held a gotong-royong (a volunteer event).

She said that she sent Zara back to her dormitory the next day and she did not suspect anything unusual.

However, she added that Zara had made egg bread for the family before she left for her dormitory.

"That was the last meal she brought and cooked at my house. I found it strange at the time. She cooked it for us," Noraidah recalled.

Deputy Higher Education Minister denied any involvement in Zara's case

On Jul. 30, Malaysian Deputy Higher Education Minister Mustapha Sakmud denied any involvement in Zara's case, be it his own or his wife's, following allegations by two members of parliament, NST reported.

His wife, Rosnih Nasir, is the former principal of Zara's school.

She served at the school for about eight months till Nov. 22 2024 before retiring.

Mustapha stated that Rosnih had no involvement in the administration or management of the school since her retirement.

He called the allegations "slanderous and a form of baseless political manipulation".

"Stop exploiting this tragedy for political mileage. Respect the ongoing police investigation and refrain from spreading slander that could harm the reputation and emotional well-being of innocent individuals."

Zara's mother called for her body to be exhumed

According to The Star, Noraidah's lawyers revealed in a statement that Noraidah had submitted a formal request for Zara's body to be exhumed in order for a post-mortem to be conducted,

One of the lawyers stated that Noraidah was dissatisfied with how Zara's case was handled by the authorities and felt that there were many discrepancies.

He stated that Noraidah did not believe Zara had committed suicide and suspected foul play instead.

Though police had reported that Zara had fallen from the third floor of the school dormitory, the lawyer stated that "Zara's face had no physical injuries or bruises, which would be there if she had fallen from a high place".

Moreover, they alleged that they were previously told not to lodge a police report regarding Zara's death, and to leave it to the school instead.

He further added that despite assurances that investigations would be conducted, the police provided Noraidah's family with few and brief updates.

Investigation papers submitted to Attorney-General's Chambers incomplete

Zara's family's legal counsel claimed that the investigation paper regarding Zara's case that was submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) was incomplete, NST reported.

They stated that the clothing and personal items found on Zara when she was discovered on Jul. 16 were never collected or requested as part of police investigations.

"We are deeply shocked by this, as in our experience handling criminal trials in court, it is standard procedure for police to seize all items worn by a victim suspected of having died as a result of any criminal act, for the purpose of investigation."

They added that the police's inaction raises concerns that the investigation has not been objective and that the police has not been looking into any other causes of death apart from sudden death or suicide.

Zara's mother submitted Zara's phone to the police

On Aug. 7, Noraidah handed Zara's phone to the police to assist in investigations.

The Star reported that Zara's phone contained audio files of conversations where Zara voiced fears of being bullied.

The files also allegedly contained names of students or suspects possibly linked to her death.

Malaysia's education ministry has lodged over ten police reports regarding misleading posts and videos related to the case, and assured parents of their commitment to ensuring the safety of students in boarding schools, NST reported.

The Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has also urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police to conduct a thorough investigation.

Anwar pledged transparent probe into case

Bernama reported that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged that Zara's death will be investigated transparently without protecting anyone.

Speaking at an event on Aug. 9, Anwar stressed that the case must not be taken lightly.

"I asked whether there were any mistakes in the investigation into Zara Qairina's case. If there were, take action. This is a death. Regardless of whether it is the child of the poor or the rich, in the mountains, on land or at sea, we will pay attention because the investigation must be conducted transparently. I am saddened because she could have been my child or grandchild."

Zara's body has been exhumed

According to Malay Mail, Zara's body was exhumed at Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang, Sabah, on Aug. 9.

Citing Sinar Harian, Malay Mail reported that her body was then transported to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital for the post-mortem examination.

Family lawyer confirmed he saw injuries to Zara's body during the post-mortem

The post-mortem on Zara's body was conducted on Aug. 10.

According to NST, the post-mortem was done by four pathologists and was observed by Zara's family's lawyer and three police officers.

The whole process took around eight hours.

Following the post-mortem, Zara was reburied at the same place at Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol in Sipitang, Sabah.

The lawyer who was present at the post-mortem examination told reporters that "there were indeed fractures, there were indeed injuries" on Zara's body, The Star reported.

Top photo via Facebook and Malaysian media