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Coroner’s court issues show-cause notice against Shafie Apdal over controversial Zara Qairina remarks
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 22 — The Coroner’s Court today issued a notice to show cause against Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal after he allegedly made contemptuous remarks about the case while the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir is is ongoing.
The order was made by coroner judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan following an application by Datuk Ram Singh and was supported by all parties to the inquest.
Shafie had sparked controversy after a video surfaced showing him describing Zara Qairina’s case as “murder” during a political event, and criticising the handling of the incident.
The video was played in court and prompted the judge to remind the parties and those involved not to publicly make statements.
“I therefore agree with the counsels to issue show cause to Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as this is a contempt of court,” he said, adding that the comments undermined the inquest proceedings.
Amir Shah then ordered the conducting officers team to prepare the show cause notice to be executed today.
Ram said the former chief minister’s remarks had disturbed the judicial process and caused anxiety among student witnesses, while both the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and the coroner had previously reminded the public that such actions were tantamount to contempt of court.
“The statement suggesting this is a murder case definitely stirred the minds of the kids, causing anxiety to them,” Ram told the court.
Shafie is now expected to appear before the court to answer the notice in open court.
The inquest, now in its 11th day, is probing the circumstances that led to the death of 13-year-old Zara at her school in July.
There are 68 witnesses scheduled to be heard.
The court is deposing the ninth witness, student A, today.
Proceedings are closed to the public and the media.
