The Education Ministry has announced the temporary transfer of several staff members from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha while police investigate the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
In a statement today, the ministry confirmed that the school’s principal, senior assistant for student affairs, and all wardens will be reassigned to the Sabah Education Department until the investigation is completed.
The move follows Bukit Aman’s announcement that a special task force has been formed to take over the case. “The ministry will give its full cooperation to ensure the investigation is conducted thoroughly, meticulously, and completely. As stated before, this case remains our top priority,” the statement said.
The ministry also expressed hope for a transparent and comprehensive investigation to ensure justice for all families involved.
On July 16, Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain at her school and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, where she died the following day. Her body was exhumed on August 9 for a post-mortem, before being reburied the next morning.

