KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed that police investigations into the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir have uncovered elements of bullying, negligence, and sexual harassment.

“Yes, I want to state here clearly that there were indeed elements of bullying. That is clear,” Saifuddin said during a Dewan Rakyat session on Monday.

He further revealed that Zara had previously lodged complaints with her school, pointing to signs of negligence. “There were also elements of sexual harassment, which are being investigated,” he added.

Saifuddin dismissed claims that the case was being covered up, calling such allegations “serious accusations” that do not reflect the actual investigation process.

“All of Zara’s experiences at the hostel, as written and shared, have been investigated by the police. That is why there must not be any attempt to conceal the truth, because schools are supposed to be safe spaces for our children,” he stressed.

He also reminded school administrations of their responsibility to act promptly and transparently in similar cases.

Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel in Papar, Sabah, at around on July 16.

She was later pronounced dead at Hospital Queen Elizabeth in Kota Kinabalu on July 17.