KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured Malaysians that the investigation into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir will be handled transparently and without compromise.
Speaking at the Rancakkan Madani Kelantan programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Health Campus here today, Anwar stressed that the case must not be taken lightly, warning the public against politicising it or spreading baseless claims.
“We are not taking this lightly and my directive is clear — there will be no compromise,” he was quoted by Berita Harian.
Acknowledging public chatter linking the 13-year-old’s death to high-profile figures, Anwar dismissed such speculation and made it clear that no one would be shielded if found guilty.
“This is a matter of death, whether the child of the poor or the rich — it is not a game. Even if it was my own family, I would want to know the cause,” he said, adding that federal criminal investigation director Datuk M. Kumar had been instructed to personally monitor the case to avoid any mishandling.
Anwar also said he had no concerns about the outcome of the post-mortem process, even if it revealed uncomfortable truths.
Yesterday, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) directed police to exhume Zara Qairina’s body for a more thorough post-mortem. The teen, from Sabah, had reportedly fallen from a hostel building before her burial.
The AGC said the move was part of broader instructions to ensure a comprehensive investigation, allowing police to collect additional evidence after reviewing the initial probe.
The case has gripped national attention, with rallies in several Sabah towns demanding justice for the teen — underscoring public outrage and calls for accountability. – August 9, 2025