Diary Unveils Troubling Experiences
A 51-page diary left behind by the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has provided investigators with insight into her struggles at school in the months before her death.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament that the diary was handed over by a teacher and contained deeply personal struggles of her time in the dormitory.
Psychologists from Bukit Aman confirmed the diary’s content was consistent with testimonies from her peers, helping investigators reconstruct Zara’s final hours on the night of 15 July.
According to Saifuddin, the case involves bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment, all of which are now being probed further.
“There were indeed elements of bullying. That is clear,” Saifuddin told Parliament, adding that neglect and sexual harassment were also under investigation.
Five Juveniles to Face Charges
Authorities have since confirmed that five teenagers, all under the age of 18, will be brought before the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court on Wednesday, 20 August 2025.
Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar stated that the five will face charges under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, which criminalizes abusive or threatening words or communication.
If convicted, the minors could face up to a year in prison, a fine, or both.
Disagreement Over Severity Charges
Zara’s family lawyer argued that the suspects should be charged under the more severe Section 507D(2).
This law deals with situations where a person is made to believe they will be harmed and sets out punishments of up to 10 years in jail, a fine, or both, particularly if the provocation leads the victim to take their own life.
However, the Attorney General confirmed prosecutors will proceed with the lesser charge, Malay Mail reported.
From Sudden Death to Public Pressure
Initially, police classified the case as “sudden death.”
Her burial took place without a post-mortem after her mother, in shock, signed a consent form refusing the procedure.
Police later admitted this was a procedural lapse and confirmed the officer in charge would face disciplinary action.
Public outrage grew after details of Zara’s bullying emerged. A petition demanding justice gathered more than 250,000 signatures, prompting the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to order her body exhumed.
A team of forensic specialists conducted a full autopsy, which confirmed Zara died from “severe traumatic brain injury” caused by a fall.
Inquest to Begin in September
On 13 August, the AGC announced that a judicial inquest would be held under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Set to begin at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court on 3 September, the inquest is expected to run throughout the month.
Rather than determining guilt, it will focus on clarifying the circumstances surrounding Zara’s death and whether any criminal factors played a role.
First Case Under New Anti-Bullying Law
Her death has also become the first to be probed under Section 507D of the Penal Code, commonly known as the “Esha Clause.”
Gazetted in July, the law was named after cyberbullying victim Rajeswary Appahu and makes it an offence to engage in bullying that provokes self-harm.
While the suspects are being charged under the harassment section for now, officials have indicated that the case could pave the way for a dedicated Anti-Bullying Act to strengthen protections for students.
Battling Misinformation
Rumours and false claims have complicated the tragedy.
Among them was a viral hoax suggesting Zara had been killed after being placed in a washing machine. Police arrested a 39-year-old woman in Rawang and a teacher who repeated the claim in a TikTok video.
Both admitted the story was fabricated “for content” and were later released on police bail.
Saifuddin urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified claims, stressing that the investigation has been handled transparently.
Five Minors Plead Not Guilty in Court
In a recent development, five teenagers linked to Zara Qairina’s case were charged in the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court today with using insulting words against her.
The closed-door proceedings saw all five, aged under 18, plead not guilty under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, which carries up to one year in jail, a fine, or both, according to Berita Harian.
Prosecutors alleged the group, acting with common intent, insulted Zara between 10 pm and 11 pm on 15 July at a school in Papar, Sabah
The court was told the words could have disturbed the victim.
Each was granted bail of RM5,000 (approx. S$1,520) with a RM1,000 deposit (approx. S$304). The case is set for mention on 25 September and 16 October, with trial dates scheduled for December.
A Nation Demands Answers
The case has shaken Sabah and Malaysia as a whole, leading the Ministry of Education to order safety audits at schools and hostels nationwide and review the current bullying complaint system.
For Zara’s family, however, the search for justice continues.
The inquest in September will examine the full circumstances of her death, with her diary standing as a haunting reminder of what she endured.
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Influencer Esha’s Death Leads to Arrests in Cyberbullying Incident
‘I lost my son to bullying’ – Trinidad Teen’s Suicide Sparks Calls for Justice
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