KOTA KINABALU: Lawyers representing four students involved in the Zara Qairina Mahathir inquest have condemned Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal’s comments, calling them “reckless, dangerous and disgusting.”
Lawyers for Students B, C, D and E, as interested persons in the inquest proceedings , said a video shared on Facebook shows Shafie making inflammatory statements about the ongoing inquest into the death of Zara Qairina.
In the video, Shafie branded the case as “murder” and questioned the conduct of both the police investigation and the forensic pathologist.
“Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal’s statement is reckless, dangerous, and disgusting. Calling this case ‘murder’ without due process is highly irresponsible and gravely prejudicial to our clients. This is a blatant attempt to inflame public sentiment for political gain in the forthcoming state election,” said the lawyers in a statement today.
The lawyers are Azhier Farhan Arisin, Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah, Mohammed Fareez Mohammed Salleh, and Sylyester Kuan.
According to the legal team, who acts on the instructions of their clients, exploiting a tragedy for political gain is the lowest point to which any politician can go.
“Justice belongs in court, not on the campaign trail. Political figures are duty-bound to uphold the dignity of public office, not inflame sentiment for electoral advantage. To instead inflame sentiment for electoral advantage is a dereliction of that duty and corrosive to public confidence in the justice system.”
The lawyers emphasised that the inquest is a “solemn judicial proceeding which commands the utmost respect.” Any attempt to twist its purpose for politics or social media content, they said, is “wholly improper and beneath the dignity expected of public leaders.”
They also warned that premature and irresponsible remarks not only undermined the presumption of innocence but also “showed a lack of respect for the grieving family.”
“Justice must be determined in court on the basis of evidence, not twisted in political speeches or on social media,” they stressed.
Zara, a Form One student, was found unconscious in her hostel dormitory at SMKA TDM on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Her death sparked widespread concern and public debate, with many questioning the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
On Aug 13, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered that an inquest be held after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police.
The inquest into Zara’s death, which began on Sept 3, has so far heard testimony from eight witnesses.
It is scheduled to run until the end of the month, with at least 68 witnesses expected to be called, including more than 30 children.
