Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, president of Parti Warisan and Semporna MP, was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to five weeks imprisonment for comments made about the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The contempt charge stems from remarks Shafie made in September 2025 during a political event in Kinabatangan. He described Zara Qairina's death as "murder" and questioned the authorities’ handling of the case while the inquest was ongoing. [2, 3, 4] Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan ruled that these statements risked interfering with court proceedings and could affect public opinion, thus constituting contempt of court. [2, 4]
Shafie was sentenced to five weeks in jail, which is just under the six-week maximum term allowed under Section 99A of the law. The court also granted a stay of execution pending his appeal to the High Court, allowing Shafie to remain free during the appeal process. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Shafie’s jail sentence does not affect his role as a State Assemblyman (ADUN), according to Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, who said, "If the court's decision is still under appeal, Mohd Shafie's position will remain as it is. Regardless, if the sentence is still being appealed, the position is status quo; there is no further impact." [5]
Parti Warisan denied involvement in organizing any solidarity gathering for Shafie on August 2, 2026, in Kota Kinabalu. The party filed a police report over fake posters circulating on social media claiming otherwise. Warisan secretary-general Datuk Loretto Padua Jr said, "This act not only misleads members of the public who are unaware of the facts, but also tarnishes the image of Warisan leaders and Parti Warisan as a whole." [1, 6]
Shafie said the case was about "a young girl whose tragic death deeply touched the hearts and conscience of our nation." He added, "My hope, as it has always been, is to uphold truth, for justice to prevail and to strengthen public confidence in our institutions." [3]
Zara Qairina Mahathir died on July 17, 2025, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. Legal proceedings against Shafie for contempt were initiated by the Attorney-General after his remarks in September 2025. The Sessions Court convicted him and imposed sentencing on July 29, 2026. [2, 3, 4]
The next step is Shafie's appeal to the High Court against the contempt conviction and jail sentence, which will determine the case's final outcome.
