KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a stern warning to the public following calls from the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to halt the spread of unverified information regarding the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.
In a statement, MCMC emphasised that sharing images, videos, or any unverified details could not only cause distress to the family but also breach ethical guidelines and potentially contravene existing laws.
The Commission reiterated a call from Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, urging everyone to respect the ongoing investigation and refrain from creating confusion through baseless speculation.
The MCMC said the dissemination of false information is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588], which stipulates a penalty of up to RM500,000 in fines, a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) confirmed that the full initial investigation report concerning the death of the 13-year-old, which was linked to allegations of bullying in Papar, Sabah, on July 16, had been returned to the police for further action.
Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, the Attorney-General, explained that the AGC had handed the full preliminary investigation report back to the police on August 6, providing specific instructions to complete the investigation.
“We’ve issued clear directives, which means there are certain matters that need to be recompiled,” he said.
“I cannot discuss the details here, but there are aspects that need further work,” he added, speaking at a ceremony to honour the appointment of Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya.
The AGC had earlier received the full report from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on August 3 from the Sabah branch and on August 4 at the Putrajaya headquarters.
Mohd Dusuki further noted that instructions had been given for the police to conduct additional reviews. Zara, a Form 1 student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, was found unconscious in a drain near the hostel at 4 a.m. on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor.
She was later confirmed dead following treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, in a media statement on July 31, confirmed that the police had not ruled out the possibility of bullying being involved in the tragic incident. – August 7, 2025