#SHOWBIZ: 'Justice for Zara' grows with celebrity support
Hashtags #JusticeforZara and #JusticeforZaraQairina are dominating social media platforms X and TikTok, with more than 114,000 posts, including those by artistes.
The movement stems from the death of 13-year-old Zara on July 16, 2025, after she was found unconscious at her school hostel in Papar, Sabah.
Among those who showed their solidarity was Biduanita Negara Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza.
Sharing a heartfelt video message, she wrote: "Justice for Zara is not just a hashtag. It is the cry of every victim whose dignity has been trampled, whose confidence has been destroyed, and whose smile has been erased by the hands of bullies. Today, we speak out because staying silent means we are complicit."
On X, many people stressed the need for answers and action against bullying.
Meanwhile, @atiqroslee1 posted: "May little sister Zara Qairina receive true justice. My condolences to the family of the late Zara. Al-Fatihah for her. Stop bullying now!"
Last weekend, the movement took to the streets, with thousands of people gathering in Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Another rally was also held outside the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur.
On Aug 13, the Attorney General's Chambers announced that an inquest will be held to look into her death.
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Several to face charges over bullying of late Zara Qairina
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) will charge several individuals over the bullying of Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13. The A-GC said the decision was made based on investigation papers submitted by police. "Based on available evidence, we have decided to charge several suspects involved in the bullying of Zara Qairina," it said. "This will not affect police investigations into Zara Qairina's death, including the inquest proceedings that will take place in court." On Aug 13, the A-GC ordered an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina in accordance with Subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The A-GC said this was to determine the cause and manner of death, including whether there were any criminal elements. The Coroner's Court in Kota Kinabalu fixed 19 days from Sept 3 for the inquest proceedings. Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that bullying, negligence and sexual harassment were angles police probed in their investigation into the death of Zara Qairina. Zara Qairina was found unconscious on July 16, believed to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory building. She was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital. On July 31, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said bullying had not been ruled out. Her grave was later exhumed for a post-mortem and an inquest.
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Several suspects to be charged over Zara Qairina bullying case
Published on: Monday, August 18, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: PETALING JAYA: Several suspects believed to have bullied Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose death sparked national outrage, will be charged in court, the Attorney-General's Chambers said. In a statement, the AGC said the decision to haul these suspects to court was to ensure it did not disrupt the inquest into the teenager's death. The AGC's decision to charge these people comes an hour after Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that the probe into Zara's death revealed elements of bullying, neglect and sexual harassment. Saifuddin said these elements were uncovered after recording statements from 195 witnesses, including her hostel mates, adding that the signs of bullying were 'clear'. Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. Last week, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said that the case, initially classified as sudden death, is now being investigated for possible criminal elements, including bullying. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
AGC: Bullying suspects in Zara Qairina case to face charges, inquest will still go ahead
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) today said it has decided to charge several suspects involved in the bullying of late student Zara Qairina Mahathir. It said the decision was made after reviewing investigation papers referred by the police. 'The decision to proceed with charges in relation to the bullying offence was made on the basis that the charges will not interfere with the inquest proceedings that are to be held,' it said in a statement here. It added that the decision to charge the suspects would not affect the ongoing investigation into Zara Qairina's death, and the inquest proceedings would continue to take place in court. Earlier today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the investigation into the death centres on three key elements, namely bullying, neglect, and sexual harassment. He said the police had also submitted their investigation papers to the AGC after taking statements from 195 witnesses. The Coroner's Court in Kota Kinabalu also today fixed September 3 for the start of the inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir to determine any criminal elements. Lawyer for the family Hamid Ismail said that the inquest will be heard before coroner judge Azreena Aziz and could involve up to 195 witnesses, though the final number will be determined by the Attorney General's Chambers. Last week, the AGC decided to hold an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police. The inquest will be conducted under subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593). The death of the 13-year-old SMKA Tun Mustapha student in Papar, Sabah after an alleged bullying incident has sparked public outrage nationwide and renewed calls for safer schools. 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.
