BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 14 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will monitor defamatory and sub judice statements on social media in relation to the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government respects the ongoing inquest proceedings at the Coroner’s Court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, stressing that any statements on social media must be based on facts.
“If there are statements that deviate from facts, embellish or attempt to interfere with the court process, it is a serious matter. The government respects this inquest process, and action may be taken.
“From MCMC’s side, I will request that this matter be closely examined, but ultimately anything concerning sub judice is subject to the court’s decision,” he told the press after inspecting the implementation of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme at a supermarket today.
Also present was Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
Fahmi said he is aware that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had recently issued a statement regarding an individual who made defamatory remarks concerning the inquest proceedings.
“This individual has been served a show-cause notice before any court action is taken, including for sub judice offences,” he said.
If the AGC finds it necessary, the individual could be charged with contempt of court.
At the same time, he noted the request of Zara's mother, conveyed through her lawyer, that all ‘Justice for Zara’ solidarity gatherings be halted temporarily.
“The deceased’s mother also hopes that netizens will respect the inquest process and refrain from making statements of a sub judice nature,” Fahmi said.
Zara, 13, a Form One student of SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, died on July 17 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.
She had been admitted to the hospital a day earlier, after being found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel at 4am.
On August 13, the AGC ordered the inquest after reviewing the police investigation report. Previously, on August 8, it had issued an order to exhume Zara's body to enable a post-mortem to be conducted.
