The family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has urged the Attorney-General (AG) to impose heavier charges against five teenagers accused of bullying her, citing concerns that the current charges may limit future prosecution.
According to a statement issued on Aug 19, the teenagers are set to be charged this Wednesday at the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code for bullying.
The family’s lawyers have formally appealed to the AG to suspend prosecution under Section 507C(1) and instead apply Section 507D(2), which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
“We are concerned that if prosecution proceeds under Section 507C(1) and the accused plead guilty, future evidence uncovered by investigations or the inquest could not be pursued due to the constitutional protection against double jeopardy under Article 7(2),” the legal team warned.
Yesterday, Attorney-General Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed the charges will proceed in the Children’s Court, while the inquest will continue in parallel to determine broader circumstances behind Zara’s death.
Zara, a student at SMKA Tun Mustapha, was found unconscious at her dormitory in Papar on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day. The case has sparked nationwide debate over bullying and school safety.
