KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 1 -- Sepanggar MP Datuk Mustapha Sakmud has firmly denied claims linking his wife to the recent death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, calling the allegation baseless and unbecoming of a Muslim lawmaker.

He was responding to remarks made by Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan during a Dewan Rakyat debate, which Mustapha said were misleading and unfairly targeted someone no longer in public service.

"These claims not only confuse the public, but also damage the reputation of an individual who retired from government service months ago," he said in a statement today.

Mustapha, who is also deputy minister of higher education, clarified that his wife, Datin Rosnih Nasir, was formerly the principal of ...