Kuala lumpur: UMNO has announced its complete backing for the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to launch a full inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, aiming to ascertain if any criminal elements played a role.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki emphasized the party’s hope for an independent and transparent inquest, conducted in line with legal standards, to secure justice for Zara Qairina. This stance was among several resolutions reached at the recent UMNO Supreme Council meeting, led by president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

UMNO expressed deep sorrow over Zara Qairina’s passing, allegedly tied to bullying, and criticized the case’s handling as inadequate and inconsistent with the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) standard operating procedures. In a statement, the AGC confirmed that the decision to pursue an inquest followed a review of the investigation report from PDRM, aligning with subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593].

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar revealed at a press conference that the case, initially treated as a sudden death, will now focus on potential criminal factors, including bullying. He noted this development came from a special CID team of nine officers and personnel dispatched to Sabah on August 11 to probe the incident.

Zara Qairina, aged 13, was declared dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, following her discovery unconscious in a drain near her school’s dormitory early on July 16.