MCA Youth has criticised the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) decision to temporarily transfer several people from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha until police investigations into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir are completed.
In questioning the move, its secretary-general Saw Yee Fung said rather than the mere transfer of said school personnel, specifically its principal, senior assistant (student affairs) and all its wardens, the MOE must opt for suspension rather than mere transfer.
“This is to ensure that the integrity of the investigation while maintaining public trust in its outcome is upheld,” Saw stressed.
“These individuals are the highest authorities within the school. Even if they are transferred, they remain within the education system and may still wield influence over the investigation.
“This not only risks compromising the independence of the police inquiry but also undermines public confidence in the credibility of the findings.”
To prevent interference, avoid abuse of power and uphold the principle of recusal, Saw said the MOE ought to take the more appropriate step of suspending those involved while investigations are ongoing.
“Suspension is not merely a procedural necessity. It is a signal to society that we uphold a zero-tolerance stance on such matters. It reflects the government’s and the Ministry’s seriousness in tackling issues of bullying and safety in our schools,” she remarked.
“Regrettably, the MOE has instead opted for a soft-handed approach through oft-used personnel transfers. This fails to reflect any form of symbolic justice, nor does it quell public outrage.”
According to Saw, while the police must conduct a professional and independent investigation, the MOE and government have a duty to “cut off all potential power influence” by suspending those in question.
“Only then can we safeguard the credibility of the investigation and demonstrate a responsible, impartial, and transparent stance to the public,” she added.
On July 16, 13-year-old Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain at her school and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, where she died of her injuries the next day.
On Aug 9, her body was exhumed for a post-mortem examination, which took place the next day.
Her remains were reburied early the next day. ‒ Aug 14, 2025
