August 14, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno has expressed full support for the Attorney General’s decision to conduct a comprehensive inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, to establish the cause and circumstances, including whether any criminal elements were involved.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party was deeply saddened and distressed by the tragedy, adding that weaknesses in how the case was handled had caused further disappointment.
“Umno is deeply grieved and truly pained by the tragedy of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death.
“The handling of this case, which appears to have been very weak and not in line with usual procedures and SOPs, as acknowledged by the police, is most disappointing,” he said in a statement after the party’s Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday (Aug 13).
He said Umno hoped the inquest would be conducted independently and transparently in accordance with the law to ensure justice for the victim.
On Friday (Aug 8), the AGC said that Zara Qairina’s body was exhumed for a post-mortem to ensure all aspects of the case were thoroughly examined.
Zara Qairina was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, on July 17 after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4am on July 16.