Attorney General Orders Exhumation of Malaysian Student Zara Amid Widespread Protests

Zara Qairina Mahathir, a 13-year-old student, died after reportedly falling from the third floor of her Islamic school dormitory in Sabah’s Papar district in July 2025. Initial police reports suggested an accidental fall, but her family has questioned the investigation's thoroughness, alleging that evidence collection and postmortem procedures were insufficient and that the case was not treated as suspicious. Public concern escalated after a voice recording surfaced in which Zara expressed fear for her safety, prompting protests across Sabah demanding justice and further investigation into possible foul play. In response to mounting public pressure and family calls for clarity, the Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers ordered the exhumation of Zara’s body to conduct a postmortem examination and instructed the police to undertake a comprehensive investigation. Zara’s mother also cooperated by providing evidence and detailed statements to the police, while government officials cautioned against drawing conclusions based on unverified social media content. The case remains under active investigation with efforts to ensure all aspects are thoroughly examined.