The dissemination of false information on social media, particularly concerning the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, risks undermining police investigations, warned Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
Speaking at a press conference in Bukit Aman today, Khalid emphasized the police’s commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.
“My primary concern is the conduct of certain individuals who seek attention by posting or sharing content on platforms like TikTok,” he said. “Such actions create misleading narratives about ongoing cases, including the investigation into Zara’s death.”
Khalid clarified that the task force’s role is to conduct meticulous investigations, leaving determinations of guilt or innocence to the courts in accordance with legal standards.
“I urge the public to support the measures taken by the police, which are designed to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of our officers as they perform their duties within the legal framework,” he added.
He noted that five schoolgirls in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, have been charged, and their case has been referred to the courts, which will determine the appropriate legal outcome.
Khalid also expressed appreciation for members of the public who have provided information about suspicious activities, aiding law enforcement efforts.
Yesterday, Siti Hajar Aflah Sharuddin, a 39-year-old schoolteacher, pleaded not guilty in a magistrates’ court to charges of spreading unverified information about Zara’s death on TikTok. According to the charge, her statements, posted on her account SHA_Abrienda, were viewed by a police officer at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 1:20 p.m. on August 6. The remarks were alleged to have caused public alarm and risked inciting an offense against public order.
The charge, filed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, carries a potential penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Zara, a Form One student at a religious school in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
On August 20, five teenagers pleaded not guilty in the Kota Kinabalu Court for Children to a joint charge of using abusive or insulting language that caused Zara distress and fear.Police Warn False Social Media Posts Could Hinder Zara Qairina Investigation
