Over 3,000 take part in ‘Justice for Zara' rally
LABUAN: The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir has left a deep mark on the Labuan community, with more than 3,000 people joining a solidarity rally to demand justice for her.
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 Datuk Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan.
It drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including those from PKR and Warisan, took to the stage to deliver impassioned speeches calling for truth, justice and an end to violence against children.
Many participants wore black attire and carried placards bearing Zara Qairina's name and slogans such as 'Justice for Zara Qairina' and 'Stop Bullying', Bernama reported.
Mohd Rafi described the turnout as a powerful show of solidarity that transcended political and social lines.
'This is more than a political or social issue, it is a human one. We stand united in demanding justice for Zara,' he told the crowd.
Zara Qairina, a Form One student from Sipitang, died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17.
She was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar around 4am on July 16.
In a significant development, the teenager's body was exhumed late Saturday night for a post-mortem to assist ongoing police investigations into her death.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Zara Qairina's death: Umno backs A-GC's decision for full inquest
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has expressed disappointment over the police's handling of the case involving the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir. Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described the handling of the case as "extremely weak" and said it failed to follow normal procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as acknowledged by the police, which the party found deeply disappointing. "Umno is deeply saddened and affected by the tragic death of the late Zara Qairina. "The handling of this case, which appears to have been extremely weak and failed to comply with normal procedures and SOPs, as acknowledged by the police, is deeply disappointing," he said at a press conference after the party's supreme council meeting last night. Asyraf said the party fully supports the Attorney-General's Chambers' decision to conduct a full inquest to determine the cause and circumstances of her death, including whether criminal elements were involved. He added that Umno hopes the inquest will be carried out independently and transparently, in line with legal provisions, to ensure full justice for the late Zara Qairina. The A-GC ordered an inquest into Zara Qairina's death following an investigation report submitted by the police on Monday. Subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code empowers a magistrate (or coroner) to hold an inquest when there is reason to suspect that a death was sudden, unnatural, or occurred under suspicious circumstances. Zara Qairina, who was found unconscious after allegedly falling from her school dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Sabah, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital at 11am on July 17.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
UMNO Supports AGC's Decision On Full Inquest Into Zara Qairina's Death
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- UMNO has expressed its full support for the Attorney General's Chambers' (AGC) decision to conduct an inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, including to determine whether any criminal elements were involved. UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party hoped the inquest would be conducted independently and transparently, in accordance with the law, to ensure justice for the late Zara Qairina. He said this was among several matters agreed upon at tonight's UMNO Supreme Council meeting, chaired by its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 'UMNO is deeply saddened by Zara Qairina's death, believed to be linked to bullying. The handling of the case, which appears weak and not in accordance with the Royal Malaysia Police's (PDRM) SOPs, is highly disappointing,' he said. In a statement today, the AGC said the decision to conduct the inquest was made after reviewing the investigation report submitted by PDRM. The AGC said the decision to proceed with an inquest was in line with subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593]. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said at a press conference here earlier today that the case, initially classified as sudden death, would now focus on possible criminal elements, including bullying. He said this was among the findings of a special CID team comprising nine officers and personnel who were sent to Sabah on Aug 11 to investigate the case. The 13-year-old was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school's dormitory at about 4 am on July 16.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Umno calls for tough action against repeated national flag violations
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has urged the authorities to take firm legal action, including prosecution, against anyone found guilty of repeatedly mishandling the installation and display of the Jalur Gemilang. Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said such acts tarnish the dignity and sovereignty of the nation, and offenders must be dealt with under existing laws without exception. 'Umno takes the repeated offences involving the installation and flying of the Jalur Gemilang seriously. 'Firm and severe action, including prosecution, must be taken against anyone who commits this offence regardless of the reason, in line with the provisions of the law,' he said after the Umno Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday (Aug 13). The statement comes amid public concern over several recent incidents in which the national flag was displayed incorrectly, sparking debate over whether the mistakes were due to ignorance or deliberate acts. On Aug 9, a 59-year-old hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, was investigated after the national flag was found hanging upside-down outside his shop. The shop owner claimed that it was an unintentional mistake made while measuring a flagpole, which he corrected shortly after. Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh previously announced plans to stage a protest at the shop, but the gathering did not take place after police were stationed in the area and advised against it.
