KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Police Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) will investigate the investigating officers and their supervisors over alleged procedural breaches in the probe into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
JIPS director Datuk Hamzah Ahmad confirmed that his department is looking into possible non-compliance with investigation procedures.
“Investigations are underway,” he said when contacted. On whether senior officers — such as the head of the district Criminal Investigation Department and the district police chief — were also being probed, Hamzah said all matters were still under review.
Yesterday, Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said stern action would be taken against the officers and supervisors involved. This follows findings by a Bukit Aman task force that the investigating officer failed to request a post-mortem examination, breaching procedure.
The task force began its work on Aug 11, leading to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) ordering Zara Qairina’s grave to be exhumed for a post-mortem to ensure a thorough investigation. The exhumation took place on Aug 9 at Tanjung Ubi Islamic Cemetery, Kampung Mesapol, Sipitang, Sabah. Her remains were examined at Queen Elizabeth Hospital before being reburied.
Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at the same hospital on July 17, a day after being found unconscious in a drain near the SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha dormitory in Papar at 4am on July 16.
Source: Bernama
