MOE pledges appropriate action on death of Sabah student

Borneo Post

25-07-2025

Fadhlina
KOTA KINABALU (July 25): The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) has assured that appropriate action will be taken based on the results of the police investigation into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a form one student in Papar, Sabah.
At the same time, its Minister Fadhlina Sidek advised all parties not to make any speculations regarding the case which is still under police investigation.
'Give space to the police to carry out their duties professionally, transparently, comprehensively and with integrity. No one will be protected and will not escape legal action,' she said in a Facebook post.
She said MOE through the Sabah State Education Department (JPN) has always given full cooperation to the investigation process, besides being committed to ensure the well-being of families, students, teachers and school staff involved.
'This is done through the provision of immediate assistance including psychosocial support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). My condolences to all family members. May you be given patience and fortitude to face this difficult test,' she said.
Zara Qairina, 13, reportedly died after she was believed to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory building in the early morning of July 17.
Noraidah Lamat, a teacher and mother of Zara, has called for a 'transparent, fair and just investigation' into her daughter's death, suspected to be linked to bullying at the school.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has expressed deep concern over the recent spate of bullying cases reported in schools across the country, calling it a ''systemic crisis of child safety' that requires immediate intervention nationwide.
Its Children's Commissioner, Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, emphasises that school must be the safest place for every child. But recent cases paint a worrying picture of fear, isolation, and violence. These disturbing incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained action to ensure that schools remain safe and nurturing environments for all children.
Umno Sabah Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Idris is urging for the immediate enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act.
'Do not wait for another student's life to be lost. The Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted without delay,' she said on Friday.
Police have not updated on the progress of the investigation into the case.