Kota kinabalu: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has decided to charge several suspects involved in the bullying case of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the AGC stated that it had examined the investigation papers into Zara Qairina's death referred by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and decided to charge several suspects involved based on the available evidence. The decision to charge the suspects for the bullying offense was made to ensure that the charges do not interfere with the inquest proceedings that will take place.

The department emphasized that although the decision to charge the suspects for the bullying offense has been made, it will not affect the ongoing investigation by PDRM, including the inquest proceedings to be conducted in court.

During the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail mentioned that the investigation into the death of Zara Qairina, which focused on three elements - bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment - had been submitted to the AGC after police completed recording statements from 195 witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Kota Kinabalu Coroner's Court set September 3 to commence the inquest proceedings into Zara Qairina's death. Coroner Azreena Aziz also scheduled September 4, September 8 to 12, September 17 to 19, and September 22 to 30 for the inquest hearings.

On August 12, the AGC decided to hold an inquest to determine the cause and circumstances of the death of the student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha after reviewing the investigation report submitted by PDRM on the case. Zara Qairina, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, after being found unconscious in a drain near the school dormitory on the morning of July 16 in Papar.