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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
No rallies if probe done properly
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 By: Sohan Das Text Size: Niswwati (left) said many felt had the police action been swift, inclusive and transparent, there would not be need for any assemblies. Zara's (right) body was exhumed last Saturday and transported to Kota Kinabalu. LABUAN: The gatherings in various parts of Sabah and elsewhere since Friday that attracted thousands would not have been necessary had Sabah police done a proper job in the initial investigations into the 13-year-old's death three weeks ago. Kelab Wanita Sejahtera (Labuan Women Well-being Club) President Hjh Niswwati Tarji which organised the one on the island, Sunday, which drew 3,000 people, said: Advertisement 'The purpose was to express our feelings and provide solace to an irreplaceable loss.' She said many felt had the police action been swift, inclusive and transparent, there would not be need for any assemblies The gathering was held at the parking lot of Medan Selera of the Sea Sports Complex. All those who turned up wore black. 'It started at 10 am and we were surprised at the turnout,' said Niswati. Advertisement She hoped the Labuan and other gatherings would deliver the message for better surveillance of students while in the school environment and prevent any future cases of bullying or misconduct. She was confident that police would do a fair and proper investigation this time around as the Prime Minister has pledged that no one would be protected in the scrutiny. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including from PKR and Warisan, took to the stage to deliver impassioned speeches calling for truth, justice, and an end to violence against children. Umno Supreme Council member, 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 said. Zara Qairina, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17. She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 3 am on July 16. Her body was exhumed last Saturday and transported to Kota Kinabalu. A post-mortem was held at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sunday to assist ongoing police investigations into her death, which has drawn public outrage. A businessman, ST Tan, who attended the assembly said one of the greatest griefs of any parent is losing their child at a prime age without valid reason. Meanwhile, activist Haji Abdul Jalil Gani felt the 'Justice For Zara' gatherings are being used by the opposition to find fault with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government when it had nothing to do with what happened to the SMK Agama Tun Mustapha Kinarut student. Singling out the incomplete police investigations and the school management for what happened, he said: 'If from the on start the police investigation team had treated the case with the urgency it deserved and made prompt the findings, all the conspiracy theories of a cover-up due to a an alleged VIP link would not have arisen,' he said. 'When the Attorney General's Chambers returned the preliminary investigation report, it heightened suspicion among the public that there may indeed be a cover-up and so they took to the streets. "The opposition is trying to use it to their advantage knowing the State election is near,' he said. 'They accuse the Chief Minister of keeping quiet when Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor did tell the police to hurry up with the investigations and even sent a team to visit the family of Zara in Sipitang with financial assistance,' he said. 'Just because the Chief Minister prefers to do things without fanfare does not give the opposition and critics paint a different picture,' he said. Jalil also pointed to the Prime Minister's concern and to heed his assurance there there would be no cover up in the investigations. * 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
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Over 3,000 take part in ‘Justice for Zara' rally
Standing united: More than 3,000 people joined a solidarity rally at the Labuan Food Court to demand justice for Zara Qairina. — Bernama 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.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Solidarity rally for Zara Qairina continues in Sipitang, Labuan
More than 3,000 people from all walks of life turned up for a solidarity rally at the Labuan Food Court car park to demand justice for Zara Qairina Mahathir.-Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (Aug 10): The solidarity rally for Zara Qairina Mahathir continued in Sipitang and Labuan on Sunday. Around 5,000 people from Sipitang district joined by participants from Sarawak, Labuan and Brunei, gathered at the Sipitang Esplanade to seek justice for Zara Qairina as her exhumed body underwent post-mortem at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu. They were dressed in white and carried banners, state flags and placards bearing the hashtag #justice4zara. A representative of the organisers, Dayang Nor Syafiqah Abdul Hamid, said the turnout exceeded their expectations despite the rains.. 'Today, we held a peaceful solidarity gathering for the late Zara Qairina in Sipitang — her birthplace and where she grew up. We estimate around 5,000 people came from across the district and Sabah, as well as from Brunei, Sarawak and Labuan. 'This far exceeds our original target, which was only about 2,000 to 3,000 participants,' she said. Dayang Nor Syafiqah added that she and her group of eight organisers hoped a transparent investigation would be carried out in the name of justice for Zara Qairina. 'We are hoping for a transparent outcome, especially as the post-mortem is currently being conducted. All we want is justice for the late Zara Qairina,' she said. In Labuan, more than 3,000 people from all walks of life turned up on Sunday for a solidarity rally at the Labuan Food Court. It coincided with the Labuan Bike event and was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including 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's name, 'Justice for Zara Qairina and 'Stop Bullying'. 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 said in his address to the crowd. In Papar, the heavy rain on Saturday night failed to stop around 5,000 people from gathering at the Benoni Commercial Centre compound for the Himpunan Aman Solidariti Zara Qairina Organising chairman Azrul Ibrahim, from Komuniti Anak Muda Papar, called the rally a clear demand for justice. 'This peaceful assembly reflects the public's desire — especially in Papar — to uncover the truth behind Zara Qairina's death,' he said. 'We urge authorities to expedite the investigation and ensure accountability if misconduct is found.' On Friday night, thousands gathered in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna to demand justice for the 13-year-student as public outcries and allegations grew that she was the victim of bullying, leading to her untimely death.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thousands attend Labuan rally for Zara
LABUAN: More than 3,000 people from all walks of life gathered today for a solidarity rally in Labuan to demand justice for 13-year-old Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. The rally, held at the Labuan Food Court in conjunction with the Labuan Bike event, was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including 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's name, 'Justice for Zara Qairina and 'Stop Bullying'. 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 said in his address to the crowd. Zara Qairina, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17. She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4 am on July 16. Her body was exhumed late last night and transported to Kota Kinabalu. A post-mortem has been scheduled for today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I to assist ongoing police investigations into her death, which has drawn public outrage.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘Justice for Zara' gains momentum in Labuan as thousands in black demand truth and end to bullying (VIDEO)
LABUAN, Aug 10 — The death of 13-year-old Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang, Sabah, has left a deep mark on the Labuan community, as more than 3,000 people from all walks of life turned up today for 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. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including 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's name, 'Justice for Zara Qairina and 'Stop Bullying'. 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 said in his address to the crowd. Zara Qairina, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17. She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4 am on July 16. In a significant development, her body was exhumed late last night and transported to Kota Kinabalu. A post-mortem has been scheduled for today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I to assist ongoing police investigations into her death, which has drawn public outrage. — Bernama
