KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Stern action will be taken against the investigating officer and his supervisor following findings by the Bukit Aman Task Force that there had been non-compliance with investigation procedures concerning the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Harian Metro reported Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar as saying that the Task Force began work on Monday (August 11), with initial findings revealing procedural breaches, including the investigating officer's failure to submit an application for a post-mortem.
As a result, stern action will be taken against both the investigating officer and the supervisor for failing to provide oversight.
“However, I must also disclose that there was consent or a request from the victim’s mother for the post-mortem not to be conducted.
“This consent was recorded with the signatures of the victim’s mother, the doctor, the pathologist, and the investigating officer in a document, 'Declaration of Refusal for Post-Mortem Examination by Own Choice' (Surat Akuan Enggan Bedah Siasat Mayat Atas Kemahuan Sendiri) issued by the hospital,” he said during a special press conference at Bukit Aman today.
Earlier, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) decided that an inquest would be conducted into Zara's death.
In a statement today, it said the decision was made after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) yesterday.
The AGC added that this is in line with the provisions under Subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“The purpose of this inquest is to determine the cause and circumstances of death, including whether there were any criminal elements involved in the death of Zara Qairina.
“This process will be conducted in the Coroner’s Court independently and transparently in accordance with the law,” it said.
Previously, it was reported that Zara, a Form One student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, was believed to have fallen from the third floor and was found unconscious in a drain near the hostel at 4am on July 16.
The 13-year-old was later confirmed dead after receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
On Friday (August 8), the AGC ordered that her burial site be exhumed to allow a post-mortem to be carried out.
MORE TO COME
