Over 3k turn up for 'Justice for Zara' rally in Labuan
The rally, held at the Labuan Food Court and coinciding with the Labuan Bike event, was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno supreme council member Rafi Ali Hassan...
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Focus Malaysia
13 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
How Zara's untimely tragic death can come back to haunt GRS-PH election chances
THE death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir in a Papar boarding school dormitory should have been treated as an urgent matter of justice from the very start. Instead, the weeks of silence, the absence of an immediate autopsy, and the eventual need to exhume her body under orders from the Attorney-General have given this case a political life of its own. It is a story that could prove costly for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its federal partner Pakatan Harapan (PH). Public outrage has not only refused to die down but spread across Sabah's urban centres and beyond. The protests in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna and Labuan drew thousands, united by grief and anger over perceived mishandling of the case. Many are not just asking for justice for Zara but also questioning whether powerful interests are being protected. While no evidence has surfaced to prove elite interference, the perception alone is politically damaging. This is especially so when a state election must be held soon in a climate where no political parties or blocs are expected to outright win. The truth is, every fresh protest and every social media post hints at a cover-up and this makes the ground riskier for GRS. Holding polls in the shadow of this case risks turning the election into a referendum on the government's accountability and moral authority. Rough patch Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's administration was already dealing with a credibility gap on bread-and-butter issues like water and electricity disruptions. Now, the Zara case has handed the opposition an emotive, high-visibility issue that resonates with both urban and semi-urban voters. For PH which is teaming up with GRS in the polls, the political calculus is just as tricky. The former's power base lies in Sabah's urban areas where political awareness is high and anger over Zara's death is most visible. Urban voters may punish PH for perceived cover-up of the tragedy, if not for sheer incompetence in managing the issue. To rub salt in the wound, the Education Ministry recently announced a RM8.4 mil plan to give five million pupils Jalur Gemilang badges. This only reinforces the view that the ministry has its priorities misplaced when it should be focusing on tackling bullying in schools – speculated to be the reason for Zara's death. Opponents such as Warisan and even UMNO can be expected to pounce on the issue. They will position themselves as defenders of justice and truth while painting GRS and PH as complicit in dragging their feet by hinting at cover-ups. As the call for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to step down over failure to uphold justice for Zara gathers momentum, the issue could also deepen the unease among GRS' traditional supporters who are already uncomfortable with the coalition teaming up with a Peninsular-based bloc. It is still possible for the GRS-PH bloc to contain the political fall-out but the window is closing. A swift, transparent investigation that delivers clear accountability would help. Anything less will feed the narrative of a political class protecting its own. Zara's death has already moved from being a criminal investigation to a symbol of political and institutional trust. For GRS and PH, it is not just about solving a case. It is about convincing voters that the government stands above vested interests. Fail that test and Zara's name may reverberate in every ceramah, every campaign leaflet – and possibly, be cited as a contributing factor for GRS-PH's electoral defeat in the post-mortem findings. – Aug 14,2025 Main image credit: Sinar Daily
Malaysiakini
an hour ago
- Malaysiakini
PM, address bullying issues with wisdom, transparency
COMMENT | The tragedy that befell the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has reopened deep wounds felt by many Malaysians. Bullying is no longer merely a disciplinary problem in schools; it has become a malignant culture within our society. Despite numerous initiatives being announced, the much-needed reforms have failed to be effectively implemented, even within educational institutions. From the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022, 8.6 percent of adolescents reported having been bullied. These figures underscore the urgency for...
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Lawyers representing Zara Qairina's kin urge AGC to prosecute alleged bullies after police flag possibility
Family members of Zara Qairina Mahathir and media gather at the Tanjung Ubi Kampung Masapol Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang for her exhumation on Aug 9, 2025. — Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 14): Lawyers representing the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir have urged the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to prosecute anybody found bullying her, after the police indicated that its investigation is considering such a possibility. Following remarks by a statement yesterday by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M Kumar, they said additional investigation should occur if there is no strong or sufficient evidence to prosecute for bullying. 'In such circumstances, the inquest should proceed in parallel with the further investigations. Prosecution can then follow later,' lawyer Shahlan Jufri said in the joint statement yesterday. Shahlan said if the evidence alluded to by the police is admissible in court, the AGC should prosecute the individuals identified for committing bullying under Section 507D(2) of the Penal Code. Section 507D(2) states that anybody who provoked someone to suicide can be punished with imprisonment for up to 10 years, fined, or both. Shahlan also said that the police's remarks have disproved the alleged 'plot twist' that went viral several weeks ago alleging that their client, Noraidah Lamat — Zara Qairina's mother — was behind the death. 'That so-called plot twist was an evil and vile narrative concocted to defame our client and Zara,' he said. He also appealed to anyone with information that could assist police investigations to come forward and thanked the police and public for their support and prayers. Yesterday, the AGC decided to hold an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police earlier this week. In addition, Kumar said the investigation will now focus on possible criminal elements, including bullying. Kumar said the post-mortem confirmed that Zara Qairina died from severe brain injury due to a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain caused by a fall, consistent with the initial diagnosis. Zara Qairina was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17 after being found severely injured and unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4am on July 16. — Malay Mail Related story: Zara's death: Probe now focuses on possible criminal elements, says Bukit Aman lead Shahlan Jufri Zara Qairina Mahathir
