Thousands brave rain to attend solidarity rally for Zara Qairina
The rally, held at the Benoni Commercial Centre compound, saw participants holding placards bearing the hashtag #Justice4Zara, and dressed in black as a symbol of mourning.
Organising chairman from Komuniti Anak Muda Papar, Azrul Ibrahim, described the gathering as a clear sign that Malaysians are demanding justice in the case involving the Form One student who allegedly fell from the third floor of a religious school dormitory here.
"This (peaceful assembly) is not just a show of solidarity, but a manifestation of the public's desire — especially those of us in Papar — to know what truly happened to Zara Qairina.
"We are calling for the investigation to be expedited, and if there was any misconduct by anyone, we demand that they be brought to justice.
"At the same time, we also urge the people of Papar and beyond to exercise caution when sharing or commenting on any information.
"We have seen, through the death of Zara Qairina, that social media has become flooded with false narratives and slander, and if not controlled, this can cause division among the people," he said.
Azrul said the case had drawn not only national attention, but also interest from neighbouring countries including Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Earlier today, Zara's remains were exhumed from the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Mesapol.
A post-mortem is scheduled to be conducted at 9am tomorrow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a few seconds ago
- Daily Express
Law to regulate e-commerce likely
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Fuziah said the Ministry's study showed the need for a more comprehensive legal framework to ensure better governance of e-commerce at the national level. Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is weighing a new legislation to regulate e-commerce, after finding sellers' profit margins and commissions on popular online shopping platforms are significantly reduced, particularly during heavily promoted monthly sales events. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Senator Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the review was essential to keep laws relevant in a fast-changing digital marketplace. Advertisement 'While e-commerce is now part of everyday life for Malaysians and a driver of our digital economy, rapid growth has also brought risks such as fraud, unsafe products, misleading advertisements and cross-border enforcement limitations,' she told a press conference, Saturday. The Ministry convened a stakeholder engagement session at a hotel here involving industry representatives, digital platforms, trader associations, consumer protection groups, legal experts and academics to examine the current regulatory gaps. It was the second such consultation held as part of a broader review. Fuziah said the Ministry's study showed the need for a more comprehensive legal framework to ensure better governance of e-commerce at the national level. Advertisement 'Persistent complaints between 2023 and 2024 included the sale of counterfeit goods, the use of false identities by sellers, misleading advertising, and difficulties in dealing with overseas suppliers, particularly over returns and refunds. 'Many small traders also reported that steep platform-imposed discounts during special sales campaigns had eroded their profit margins to unsustainable levels,' she said. The proposed legislation will rest on three pillars: clearer industry responsibilities, more effective enforcement, and stronger protections for both consumers and small businesses. 'We want an e-commerce ecosystem that is not only innovative, but also safe, transparent and ethical,' she added. The consultation formed part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment process outlined by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, which requires public input to shape any Regulatory Impact Statement with the Ministry expected to finalise a draft bill soon. Separately, on Friday (Aug 8) Fuziah visited STF Agriculture Sdn Bhd in Tamparuli, to monitor enforcement following the withdrawal of the government's egg subsidy. The move was aimed at preventing profiteering under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. 'KPDN will continue to step up monitoring to ensure egg prices remain reasonable, sufficient supply, and no one takes advantage to reap excessive profits,' she said, adding that action would be taken against violators. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Nobody will be protected in probe: Prime Minister
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: 'Regardless of whether it is the child of the poor or the rich, in the mountains, on land or at sea, we will pay attention because the investigation must be conducted transparently. I am saddened because she could have been my child or grandchild," said Anwar. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance that the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah will be investigated transparently without protecting anyone. He said the case should not be taken lightly, especially as various allegations have emerged, including that the victim had fallen, been pushed, or bullied. Advertisement 'Our child in Sabah has died; some say she fell, some say she was pushed, some say it was due to bullying. We do not take this lightly, and we do not want it to be turned into political fodder. 'Our instructions are clear — no compromise, regardless of whose child it is, whether the child of a minister or anyone else, I don't care,' he said at the Rancakkan Madani Kelantan Programme at USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian. The Prime Minister said he had contacted Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the investigation is carried out fairly. 'I asked whether there were any mistakes in the investigation into Zara Qairina's case. If there were, take action. This is a death. Advertisement 'Regardless of whether it is the child of the poor or the rich, in the mountains, on land or at sea, we will pay attention because the investigation must be conducted transparently. I am saddened because she could have been my child or grandchild. 'Due to suspicions, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has ordered the exhumation of the body for a second post-mortem,' he said. He said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar has also been instructed to go to Sabah to monitor the investigation to prevent any perception that certain parties are being protected. 'This is the Madani government; we will not protect murderers,' he added. The AGC, in a statement, said Zara Qairina's remains needed to be exhumed to enable a post-mortem to be carried out on the student's body. The AGC is of the view that further investigation is necessary for the police to ensure all aspects of the case can be examined thoroughly. Zara Qairina, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. The student had been taken to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of a religious school in Papar at 4 am on July 16. Thousands of people gathered on the streets of major towns across Sabah saturday night to demand justice for Zara. In Sandakan, crowds began assembling at the waterfront Harbour Square as early as 6pm, holding banners, reciting poems, and offering prayers in memory of Zara. The rally, which was planned to end at 9pm, grew into the thousands by 8pm with local activists and community representatives, including Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, taking turns to speak as they called for transparency in the investigation. Videos of the rally were also live streamed on social media, showing the crowd, mostly clad in black, chanting 'justice for Zara' and 'murderer' while holding up placards. In Tawau, crowds were seen gathered at the Chester Night Market roundabout, holding placards with slogans such as 'Justice for Zara' and 'Stop bullying.' Chants echoed through the night as participants called for accountability and stronger protections for students. Similar rallies, albeit on a smaller scale, were held simultaneously in Lahad Datu and Semporna. According to activists, more gatherings are planned to be held this weekend in other districts, including Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Ranau, Kudat, and Keningau. Last weekend, a candlelight vigil in Zara's memory was held at Lintasan Deasoka in the state capital. Despite calls to remain calm and refrain from speculation, public frustration has grown after unverified voice recordings believed to be of Zara expressing fear for her safety, fuelling further speculation that influential figures might be shielded from scrutiny — allegations which state leaders, including the governor, have denied. Her case has been wrought with speculation since her death three weeks ago, following allegations from her family that she was a victim of bullying and physical abuse. * 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
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
Siti Kasim: Rampant torture cases, tragic death at boarding religious schools not reflective of Islam
AS the entire Malaysia rallies for justice over the death of Form One religious school pupil Zara Qairina Mahathir, human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim is dumfounded as to why bullying and physical torture of se*ual nature has become a trend synonymous with boarding religious schools in Malaysia. This is more so as Islam is deemed a great exponent of peace, brotherhood, tolerance, independence, harmony and common well-being. 'I'm vert bewildered myself how the incident could have occurred in a religious school when pupils should have been taught virtuous values as opposed to indecency such as bullying,' she hit out in her latest YouTube video. 'We've other government boarding schools such as the MARA junior colleges but we rarely hear of bullying cases to this extent. 'The Education Ministry (MOE) has to get to the roots of the problem, chiefly the way if teaching which I've stressed time and again.' To re-cap, Zara's body was found on the ground floor of her religious school dormitory (SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha) in Papar, Sabah on July 16 whereby she was pronounced dead the next day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. On Friday (Aug 8) evening, thousands of people in the Sabah East coast towns of Sandakan and Tawau held rallies demanding Justice for Zara. The right to speculation Siti Kasim further took a jibe at the authorities over the fact that no post-mortem was conducted despite various suspicions surrounding Zara's death which eventually led to huge public outcry and call for the 13-year-old's body to be exhumed for a proper post-mortem. 'I also don't understand why the Education Ministry (MOE) has to lodge police reports when it should have reflected and answer the questions raised by the public constructively, particularly following a video of Zara herself chaining to be harassed by some senior pupils.' On Thursday (Aug 7) the MOE lodged 10 police reports against the circulation of videos and posts related to Zara's death in Putrajaya upon advice from its legal division. Similar reports were also lodged in Sabah by teachers and parents of the school's pupils whose names, photos and identities were shared, hence linking them to the case. Echoing a similar sentiment, former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid defended the speculation into Zara's death as calls for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to resign vibrated across various social media platforms. 'From day one, the police failed the basics: (i) No post-mortem; (ii) No CCTV evidence; (iii) No clear timeline,' the opposition-slant UMNO member penned on X. Fahmi Fazil and the Ministers tell us 'don't speculate' about Zara Qairina's death; but they left us no choice. From day one, the police failed the basics: • No post-mortem • No CCTV evidence • No clear timeline Now we hear whispers that some of Zara's… — Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) August 9, 2025 'Now we hear whispers that some of Zara's schoolmates, ie children of VVIPs might have bullied her. And in Malaysia, we all know the ugly truth: when VVIPs are involved, the rules change. Justice bends. Cases fade. Families are silenced.' In Zaid's contention, Malaysians at large have every right to demand answers – 'loudly, publicly and without apology'. 'It took two weeks and massive public pressure before the AGC (Attorney-General's Chambers) ordered what should have been done immediately (exhume Zara's body for a post-mortem). 'Justice for Zara is justice for every ordinary Malaysian. Will the police examine itself for this massive slip up? Or will it probably be allowed to continue business as usual?' Meanwhile, the Sekretariat Solidariti Zara will be submitting a memorandum to the Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 12) to call for a reform of the police and education systems with participants to gather at Taman Tugu in Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin at 10am prior to a march to the Parliament house.
