
Police prepare for ‘Demi Zara' rally tonight as 40 officers are deployed to Sogo area
Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said security personnel would be stationed around the rally site.
'So far, there have been no road closures or diversions, but this will depend on the situation. PDRM will facilitate the rally participants in accordance with the provisions of the law,' he said in a statement today.
Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, on July 17, after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha, in Papar, at about 4am on July 16.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said that the investigation, which was initially classified as a sudden death report, is now focusing on possible criminal elements, including bullying.
The Attorney General's Chambers has also decided to conduct an inquest into Zara Qairina's death, after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the PDRM. — Bernama
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New Straits Times
27 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: No end to bullying
BULLYING is, sadly, a universal phenomenon as old as the dawn of history. It's why Neanderthals vanished 40,000 to 45,000 years ago, harried out of existence by the more aggressive Homo sapiens. From there on, from tribal clashes of nomads to hunter gatherers to the great civilisations of antiquity, all were founded on invasions and wars — prime bullying methods. Brutalising others without consequences is why international conflicts, like what is unfolding in Palestine and Ukraine, continue without end. In the modern day, bullying has entered the online and psychological realms through cyberbullying. It has evolved from the physical menace in schools, dormitories, even the office. Victims can be driven to retaliate with lethal weapons. In America, they fire assault rifles at their tormentors. Bullying in Malaysia remains serious among schoolchildren and university students. A study by a non-governmental organisation found that 38 per cent of respondents report having been in a bullying situation during their school years as victims, bullies or both, of physical, verbal and cyber types. The bullied comprise 21.4 per cent while 9.4 per cent were actual bullies while 7.2 per cent were both victims and perpetrators. Victims suffer from depression and are vulnerable to self-harm. The death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a Form One student from Papar, Sabah, is yet another tragic statistic. Found unconscious outside her dormitory building, Zara Qairina is suspected to have fallen from the third floor. She was pronounced dead at the hospital and buried a day later. The ensuing national furore led to her exhumation and a forensic probe. Police have found signs of physical bullying. But this time, police are empowered under the Penal Code to arrest Zara Qairina's tormentors and haul them to justice. What went wrong here? How do we prevent such incidents? Reinforcing awareness, preventive programmes and school mental health support are ongoing initiatives. In government hospitals, signs are everywhere warning the public to not harangue medical staff.


Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Over 10,000 show solidarity to Zara in KK
Thousands turned for the Himpunan Mega Solidariti #JusticeForZara at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu tonight. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 15): More than 10,000 people thronged Padang Merdeka here tonight to show solidarity to the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. Members of the public started gathering at the field as early as 7pm, carrying placards and banners depicting their support for the Form One student. The venue was visibly packed after 8pm, with several government and opposition leaders and members also spotted at the scene. It was understood that the event was organised by a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Irwan Idrus, who came with five friends and family members from Tanjung Aru, attended the gathering to show his support to the late Zara and family. He expressed frustration that the case has been going on for some time but there is still no conclusion, as he lamented slow action by the relevant authorities. Irwan (second right) with family and friends attending the gathering to show support to the late Zara and family. 'So we hope that with the power of the rakyat, we can pressure the authorities to provide a swift conclusion to the case so that we can find out what really happened to Zara,' he told The Borneo Post when met. Among the political leaders present was Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud, who went on stage and joined the public in demanding justice for Zara. Mustapha told the crowd that he forgives all those who tried to implicate his wife in the case, a rumour that had previously spread on social media. Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) legal advisor Chin Tek Ming also went on stage and addressed the crowd in a show of solidarity. Other Warisan members spotted were vice president Datuk Junz Wong, Putatan chief Datuk Uda Sulai as well as Darau assemblyman Datuk Azhar Matussin. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew also spoke to reporters at the location. Liew said they gathered there as concerned citizens to reaffirm the ''No' to School Bullying' message, and to advocate for institutional reforms in residential schools. She proposed the pressing need to do away with any 'reactive approach' whereby the relevant authorities may only respond when a tragedy occurs, causing the loss of lives. 'We demand justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir in unison. 'A promising life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. 'Her tragic death must not be in vain,' she said. Two more rallies are expected to he held on Saturday at Taman Chong Thien Vun and Lintasan Deasoka.


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
DAP man slams police over mishandling of Zara Qairina case, urges immediate reforms
Ling says the mishandling of the case, particularly the IO's failure to conduct a post-mortem, represents a grave injustice to the victim's family and undermines public confidence in the PDRM. MIRI (Aug 15): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling has expressed outrage over the controversy surrounding the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, calling for urgent reforms in police investigative procedures and supervisions. Ling, an experienced lawyer, said the mishandling of the case, particularly the investigating officer's (IO) failure to conduct a post-mortem, represents a grave injustice to the victim's family and undermines public confidence in the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). 'This makes me very angry, as the family has lost a loved one. The IO, who is trained in investigative procedures and standard operating procedures (SOP), should have informed the family of their rights and fulfilled their duties diligently,' he said in a statement today. Ling's remarks were made in response to growing concerns over how investigative procedures are often inadequately explained to laypersons. Zara was found unconscious in her dormitory at SMKA Tun Mustapha in Papar on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A recent news report revealed that Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, was in shock and panic when she was asked to sign a consent form waiving a post-mortem examination immediately after her daughter's death. She later said the family would not have signed the form had the implications been clearly explained by the IO. Following public outcry and widespread protests, police exhumed Zara's body and carried out a post-mortem, after the case was taken over by Bukit Aman. Ling noted that while Zara's mother may not have been well-versed in legal procedures, the IO had a professional responsibility to recognise the suspicious nature of the case and ensure a thorough investigation was conducted. 'The mother may not be exposed to the legal process, but the IO, given the circumstances, should have probed further. 'This must serve as a lesson for all levels of the PDRM. The public's confidence in the police force is at stake,' he said. Ling stressed that the incident calls for urgent attention by the top police leadership to strengthen training and SOPs, especially in monitoring how IOs handle serious cases. 'Better supervision mechanisms are vital, particularly in cases involving death or potential foul play. There should be multiple tiers of oversight, including superior officers monitoring how investigations are conducted and progressed,' he added. Ling also pointed out that many IOs are relatively young and may be fresh graduates lacking experience and exposure, which further underscores the need for stronger institutional support. Zara's death has drawn national attention, with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirming that there were indications of incompetence and procedural breaches by the IO at the Papar police station. Members of the public have continued to call for accountability against the officers involved in the mishandling of the case. Alan Ling mishandling police Zara Qairina