Sipitang MP tears up in Dewan Rakyat over Zara Qairina's death
He said the 13-year-old should have been protected at school as it should be a safe environment for learning.
"Allow me to share the tragic story of the late Zara, a child from the Sipitang parliamentary constituency, whose death brought grief to her family and sparked concern across the nation.
"This child should have been protected at the safest place, the school where she sought knowledge," he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan today.
He said it was time for anti-bullying legislation to be enacted.
He said there should be clear guidelines to protect victims and strict action must be taken against perpetrators.
"The government must not let the passing of Zara be in vain.
"She will not return, but her story must serve as a constant reminder in our minds."
He said every child has the right to safety, to be loved and to be protected.
Matbali thank the government for its serious commitment to addressing the issue transparently.
"On behalf of the constituents of Sipitang, I wish to express my gratitude to the prime minister, the federal government, the Sabah chief minister, the state government and the lawyers representing the family of the late Zara, as well as all Malaysians, for their concern and serious commitment to addressing this issue in a transparent and thorough manner."
Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at 3am on July 16.
She was reported to have fallen from the third floor of the dormitory and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital. She was pronounced dead the following day.
The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has ordered an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina.
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