“When someone leaves us suddenly, they remind us to be present in each day we’re given.” – Author unknown
LAST Sunday, my dear friend, Professor Wong Chin Huat, forwarded me a Malay Mail article titled ‘Was it bullying? Was it worse?‘ The Zara Qairina mystery is gripping Malaysia.
Whenever Wong sends reading materials, I take notice, as they are usually subjects worth a second look – meaning ‘for further action’. This latest one, the Zara Qairina mystery, now a national controversy, is certainly worth following up in writing.
Initially, I had not been following the Zara Qairina story closely as the 13-year-old student was quickly and quietly buried upon her death on July 16 last month.
It was another unfortunate case of a student who died in school, which police would normally classify as “sudden death”, or so we thought.
It was not until Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim waded into the case that I began to take an interest in the story. By the time there was an exhumation order for the body, I was immersed.
I also understand Wong’s deep interest in the Zara Qairina mystery. The academician is a known activist, always keen to see that justice and fair play prevail in any controversy.
For the uninitiated, here’s a chronology of key events in the case (as compiled by Malay Mail).
July 16 – The incident
Zara Qairina, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious between 3:00 am and 4:00 am on the ground floor of her dormitory. She is believed to have fallen from the third floor and was later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital.
July 18 – Burial without autopsy
Zara’s body is prepared for burial at the hospital. No post-mortem examination is conducted. Her mother, Noraidah Lamat, later recalls seeing bruises on her daughter’s back during the bathing ritual, a detail not initially reported to the police.
July 30 – First police report and growing rumours
Zara’s family lodges their first police report, submitting a 44-second audio recording of a conversation between Zara and her mother that casts doubt on the accidental fall theory.
They formally request an exhumation for a post-mortem. Rumours of VIP involvement spread, prompting the first of many denials.
August 2 – Investigation papers submitted
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announces that police have completed their initial investigation and submitted the papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). At this point, no public mention is made of an exhumation or post-mortem.
August 3 – Second police report highlighting bruises
Noraidah files a second police report in Sipitang, this time officially detailing the bruises she saw on Zara’s back. She again urges the police to reopen the case and proceed with an exhumation for a forensic examination.
August 4 – Prime minister vows transparency
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim publicly vows that the probe will be “swift and transparent” and that no one will be shielded if evidence of wrongdoing emerges. Zara’s lawyers publicly highlight the critical absence of an initial autopsy.
August 6 – Audio clip authenticated
Family lawyers confirm the authenticity of the viral audio clip and warn against sensational online theories, urging the public to focus on the need for a proper forensic inquiry.
August 8 – Exhumation ordered
The AGC orders the exhumation of Zara’s remains for a delayed post-mortem and instructs the police to involve forensic experts to complete their investigation.
August 9 – Body exhumed
A police forensics unit exhumes Zara’s body pursuant to a magistrate’s order and schedules it for a post-mortem examination.
The prime minister also reiterates his directive for full transparency in the case.
End of chronology.
Following a forensic post-mortem on August 9, we noted that the forensic team is preparing the full report; a preliminary version may be released within a week, while the final report could take up to two months.
According to media reports, Zara’s legal team has stated that they will likely request a judicial inquest into her death if the findings are not satisfactory or if no suspect is brought to court.
I believe that Malaysians are thankful that the Prime Minister and his Home Minister have emphasised that no one will be shielded from scrutiny, regardless of status.
This public trust is paramount, and Zara’s family must get to the truth of the matter. Only with the assistance of those in power will that ever be possible. Malaysians are keeping their fingers crossed for Zara’s family.
There were reports of prior lapses, which must also be rectified. E.g., Zara’s personal belongings (especially her clothes) were initially not seized by police for testing.
The lack of forensic analysis was a major concern raised by her lawyers. Updates on whether these items have since been collected are eagerly anticipated.
Then, it is only fair for Zara’s family to expect accountability through an inquest or prosecution. As it stands, the family has indicated that if there is no prosecution or unsatisfactory findings, an inquest will be requested.
Malaysians are also expecting systemic reform to prevent future cases. Indeed, many observers see this case as symptomatic of broader systemic issues in how schools handle bullying and how investigations, even in sensitive cases, are conducted.
It is also heartening to note that calls for a Coroners Act are growing, aimed at strengthening frameworks for investigating unexplained deaths and ensuring timely and impartial inquiries.
The Education Ministry has also assured full cooperation with investigators and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on bullying.
The post-mortem is only the beginning. What truly matters now is how authorities interpret those findings. Will they lead to accountability, institutional learning and meaningful reform?
That’s what Zara’s family and the nation rightfully expect.
● Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
