Who Is Zara Qairina? Nationality, Cause Of Death And Why Is There A Gag Order On Her Murder Case?

The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir in the Malaysian state of Sabah has shocked the country and prompted an outpouring of grief.

Bullying allegations, conflicting reports, and a court-imposed gag order have since placed her case at the centre of national debate, raising questions about how she died and why the proceedings are being tightly controlled.

Who Was Zara Qairina?

Zara was a Form One secondary school pupil at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, a district in Sabah on the island of Borneo.

On the morning of 16 July 2025, she was discovered unconscious near a drain outside her dormitory. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, where doctors found she had severe internal injuries, including fractured arms and legs. According to Malay Mail, she was placed on life support, declared brain dead the following day and later died.

Police initially ruled her death accidental, saying she had suffered a fall. She was buried soon afterwards. However, growing public anger and scepticism led the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to order her body exhumed for a second post-mortem.

Bullying Allegations and Court Charges

A renewed investigation resulted in charges against five teenage girls. According to Bernama, they were charged under Section 507C(1) of Malaysia's Penal Code of making threatening or insulting communications, an offence carrying a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.

All five pleaded not guilty at the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu. Each was released on bail of RM5,000 (around £520), roughly equivalent to a month's average Malaysian salary.

The AGC stressed that the charges relate only to bullying and are not linked directly to Zara's death. Whether her injuries were caused by foul play remains the subject of a separate coronial inquest, scheduled to begin on 3 September 2025.

Why a Gag Order Was Imposed

The Children's Court has issued a gag order under Section 15 of Malaysia's Child Act 2001. The measure prevents the media from naming or showing any of the children involved, whether they are victims, witnesses or accused.

Lawyers have emphasised that the order is not intended to shield wrongdoing or powerful individuals but exists to uphold legal protections for minors. One representative told the press, 'This is not about covering up for anyone in power. It is simply the law to protect children.'

Court proceedings are being held privately, with only limited attendance permitted. Journalists are allowed to report basic details, but any breach of the restrictions could be considered contempt of court.

What Remains Unresolved

Zara's death has become a focal point in Malaysia's national conversation about bullying and child protection, particularly in boarding schools. Campaigners are calling for stronger safeguards and clearer accountability in institutions responsible for children's welfare.

At present, five teenagers face charges of bullying, but no one has been accused of causing Zara's death. The forthcoming inquest is expected to provide further clarity on how she sustained her fatal injuries.

The gag order remains a legal requirement designed to protect minors' identities. For Zara's family and for the wider public, attention now centres on transparency, accountability and the pursuit of justice for a 13-year-old whose death is still unexplained.