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Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Zara case may rock Sabah polls
KOTA KINABALU: The Zara Qairina Mahathir case has not just opened an ugly can of worms over bullying at school; it could also cause political ripples ahead of the state election this year. The outpouring of emotions and anger across Sabah remains unabated even as Bukit Aman steps in to take a fresh look into the circumstances leading to the death of the 13-year-old Form 1 student after an apparent fall at her third-floor dormitory of a religious school in Papar. The perceived failure of the state police to carry out a transparent probe and alleged interference from 'hidden hands' have seen thousands attend #JusticeforZara rallies across Sabah, demanding answers over her death. Besides rallies in Sandakan and Tawau on Saturday, there was also a gathering in Labuan on Sunday. More than thousands people dressed in black participated in a peaceful rally called 'Justice for Zara,' which has since gained nationwide traction. - Credit photo: X Yesterday, over two dozen protesters marched from Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur to the Parliament building, before handing a memorandum to a group of MPs from both sides of the divide. Many perceive the Zara Qairina case as an institutional failure and injustice, says Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Prof Dr Romzi Ationg. 'This collective emotional response is likely to influence voter sentiment, particularly on issues of justice, child safety, and trust in authorities, during the state election,' he said. The 17th Sabah state election has to be held before Nov 11, when the state assembly's term ends. Prof Romzi said voters might increasingly prioritise candidates and parties who commit to transparency, accountability and institutional reform, especially concerning education and law enforcement. 'Delays and lapses in the investigation have eroded public confidence,' he said. Prof Romzi said the government needed to mitigate the rising anger. 'They should consider setting up a transparent, independent inquiry, possibly via a multi-stakeholder panel,' he said. 'This panel must communicate clearly and with compassion, emphasising child protection and responsiveness to public concerns. 'Steps must also be taken to implement structural reforms such as anti-bullying protocols in schools, mandated safety measures in hostels and accessible reporting mechanisms.' Prof Romzi said the unprecedented large crowds were due to universal empathy and the perceived mishandling of the case – which saw a rapid burial without investigation – while speculative rumours intensified public frustration. 'The way leaders and institutions handle the issue in the next few weeks or months will decide whether this anger dissipates or solidifies into long-term resentment that influences voter behaviour,' he added. On social media, people shared that they attended the rallies because they wanted justice for Zara as well as answers. They do not want truth to be swept under the carpet. Christine B., a 38-year-old mother of three, admitted that it could affect her vote. 'Of course, it will affect the current government apart from other basic issues such as water and electricity cuts that we are already facing,' she said. Christine's thoughts were echoed by other mothers, which will add to the challenges for the state government led by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan coalition. As things stand, Pakatan candidates will not be challenged by either GRS or Barisan Nasional, but GRS and Barisan are expected to contest against each other. All three are part of the Federal unity government. 'There are already many infrastructure woes that the government has yet to address. The Zara case is another blow,' said Martha, a mother of two, who wants to see a real system in place for all schoolchildren. Pointing to viral recordings of conversations between Zara Qairina and her mother over bullying in school, Martha hopes the Bukit Aman probe will uncover the real truth. Zara Qairina, 13, was found unconscious near a drain close to her hostel building at the religious school in Papar on July 16. She subsequently died from the injuries the next day. The body of Zara Qairina, who was buried at her hometown in Mesapol, Sipitang, was exhumed on Saturday for a post-mortem before being re-buried. Bukit Aman has also formed a special team to investigate her death. Sabah Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman and senior political leaders including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor have called for transparent investigations amid social media demands and speculations about her death. - THE STAR
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Zara case may rock Sabah polls
KOTA KINABALU: The Zara Qairina Mahathir case has not just opened an ugly can of worms over bullying at school; it could also cause political ripples ahead of the state election this year. The outpouring of emotions and anger across Sabah remains unabated even as Bukit Aman steps in to take a fresh look into the circumstances leading to the death of the 13-year-old Form 1 student after an apparent fall at her third-floor dormitory of a religious school in Papar. The perceived failure of the state police to carry out a transparent probe and alleged interference from 'hidden hands' have seen thousands attend #JusticeforZara rallies across Sabah, demanding answers over her death. Besides rallies in Sandakan and Tawau on Saturday, there was also a gathering in Labuan on Sunday. Yesterday, over two dozen protesters marched from Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur to the Parliament building, before handing a memorandum to a group of MPs from both sides of the divide. Many perceive the Zara Qairina case as an institutional failure and injustice, says Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Prof Dr Romzi Ationg. 'This collective emotional response is likely to influence voter sentiment, particularly on issues of justice, child safety, and trust in authorities, during the state election,' he said. The 17th Sabah state election has to be held before Nov 11, when the state assembly's term ends. Prof Romzi said voters might increasingly prioritise candidates and parties who commit to transparency, accountability and institutional reform, especially concerning education and law enforcement. 'Delays and lapses in the investigation have eroded public confidence,' he said. Prof Romzi said the government needed to mitigate the rising anger. 'They should consider setting up a transparent, independent inquiry, possibly via a multi-stakeholder panel,' he said. 'This panel must communicate clearly and with compassion, emphasising child protection and responsiveness to public concerns. 'Steps must also be taken to implement structural reforms such as anti-bullying protocols in schools, mandated safety measures in hostels and accessible reporting mechanisms.' Prof Romzi said the unprecedented large crowds were due to universal empathy and the perceived mishandling of the case – which saw a rapid burial without investigation – while speculative rumours intensified public frustration. 'The way leaders and institutions handle the issue in the next few weeks or months will decide whether this anger dissipates or solidifies into long-term resentment that influences voter behaviour,' he added. On social media, people shared that they attended the rallies because they wanted justice for Zara as well as answers. They do not want truth to be swept under the carpet. Christine B., a 38-year-old mother of three, admitted that it could affect her vote. 'Of course, it will affect the current government apart from other basic issues such as water and electricity cuts that we are already facing,' she said. Christine's thoughts were echoed by other mothers, which will add to the challenges for the state government led by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan coalition. As things stand, Pakatan candidates will not be challenged by either GRS or Barisan Nasional, but GRS and Barisan are expected to contest against each other. All three are part of the Federal unity government. 'There are already many infrastructure woes that the government has yet to address. The Zara case is another blow,' said Martha, a mother of two, who wants to see a real system in place for all schoolchildren. Pointing to viral recordings of conversations between Zara Qairina and her mother over bullying in school, Martha hopes the Bukit Aman probe will uncover the real truth. The body of Zara Qairina, who was buried at her hometown in Mesapol, Sipitang, was exhumed on Saturday for a post-mortem before being re-buried. Bukit Aman has also formed a special team to investigate her death. Sabah Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman and senior political leaders including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor have called for transparent investigations amid social media demands and speculations about her death.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: GRS faces tough fight to stay in power, say analysts
KOTA KINABALU: The ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is facing an uphill battle to hold on to power in the upcoming state election, according to political analysts. The eight-party GRS led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is expected to struggle to meet voter expectations that include bread and butter issues, jobs, infrastructure needs and resolution on Sabah rights. Observers do not rule out another hung result in the polls, with winning political parties cobbling together a new coalition government that could be led by GRS if it wins sufficient seats to be at the negotiating table. "At this point, it seems no party will be able to gain more than 20 of the 73 state seats. We may have Madani 2.0 in Sabah," Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) lecturer Dr Romzi Ationg said. Romzi foresees the next Sabah government being formed by parties collaborating after contesting against each other, a situation similar to the formation of the Madani government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the 2022 general election. "GRS seems all ready for the state election, but I am unsure about its chances to win. "Voters throughout Sabah are talking about the videos (bribery allegations), this suggests that GRS is in dire need to explain themselves," Romzi said, adding that local sentiments and federal-state relations, among others, are on the minds of voters. Political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang from UiTM Sabah campus said that a hung state assembly might emerge after the election only if there was no electoral pact among the coalition and parties, ending in a free-for-all contest among them. "Voters remain watchful as they anticipate the formation of political alliances ahead of the upcoming election, with no clear pact having yet emerged. "(While) the sentiment favouring a locally-led government continues to gain traction, it is increasingly tempered by public dissatisfaction over the slow pace in resolving infrastructure problems and perceptual issues stemming from recent political controversies, particularly allegations of corruption," he said. At the just-concluded state assembly meeting on Tuesday (July 8), he said that GRS had held up its report card, showcasing its achievements under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. "These accomplishments will likely serve as a key factor in persuading the public to give them a fresh mandate in the upcoming election," Bagang added. Hajiji's Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) is the anchor party of GRS, while two non-Muslim native based parties - Sabah STAR led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), under acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam - are major partners. GRS is keen to continue working as a coalition partner with Sabah Pakatan Harapan, which came to the rescue of Hajiji's state government after Sabah Barisan Nasional, led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, pulled out its support for GRS in January 2023. Both Sabah Barisan and Sabah Pakatan, who are major partners in the Federal Government, are working on a seat-sharing formula. Observers expect Sabah Barisan to field candidates in GRS contested seats, while both parties will not contest in seats allocated for Sabah Pakatan. Remaining in opposition at the state level, though part of the Madani government, are Parti Warisan led by former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Parti KDM under acting president Prescilla Peter, the daughter of jailed party president Datuk Peter Anthony. Both parties with substantial political influence have maintained that they will go solo in the election. Other national parties like Perikatan Nasional's Bersatu and PAS are also expected to enter the fray with several other local parties that have resurfaced.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: Is it shaping up to be a contest between national, local parties?
KOTA KINABALU: Will it be a battle between national coalitions versus state-based parties for the 17th Sabah state election due by November this year? Battle lines are being drawn with Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional catching its local unity government partner Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) off guard when the national coalitions announced an electoral pact without local partners. The eight-party GRS ruling coalition led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor quickly reacted saying that it was prepared to go "solo" if the national coalitions decided to go ahead without local parties being the dominant lead force. The national coalitions' unilateral announcement clearly reflected a stalemate in electoral pact discussions involving Pakatan-Barisan and GRS, which has been seeking a possible electoral pact with Pakatan without its estranged partner Sabah Barisan. According to political circles, GRS, led by anchor partner Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) under Hajiji, has been pussyfooting on the proposal for a GRS-Pakatan-Barisan electoral pact that will share 73 state seats equally. The political sources said that Hajiji, who had to also contend with other GRS partners wanting to go solo, was pushing for a electoral tie-up with Sabah Pakatan without Sabah Barisan-Umno led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. Political analyst Dr Romzi Ationg noted that the decision for Barisan and Pakatan to reach a pact for the Sabah election was to ensure the federal unity government remains strong and stable. "The Pakatan-Barisan pact is aimed at making sure the federal government remains strong. "There is also a strong belief that the collaboration will enable the two national coalitions to gain a number of seats in the coming state election," observed Dr Romzi, an associate professor with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Romzi dismisses the idea that the national coalitions might lose without influential local partners as both Pakatan-Barisan still have strong political support in a number of areas throughout Sabah. However, Romzi believes that there was still a window open for Pakatan-Barisan and GRS to come to a pact ahead of the state election. Political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang said GRS's move to contest the election "independently" was in line with its core pledge that Sabah should be governed by a locally-based party or coalition. "This move of going solo underscores GRS's narrative of asserting greater autonomy in state leadership," said Bagang, a lecturer with Sabah UiTM. Bagang, however, said that it will serve as a critical litmus test for GRS's political strength, while also challenging the entrenched dominance of national-based coalitions in shaping Sabah's political landscape. "The latest political developments are set to gauge the 'resilience and adaptability' of the two national coalitions. "It will reveal how deeply rooted the public sentiment for local autonomy truly is and whether it undermines their appeal," added Bagang when viewing Sabah's politics possibly being reshaped with national parties and local parties at loggerheads. Bagang said that the final results, however, will also depend on key factors such as campaign resources, party machinery and the dynamics of federal-state relations. Sabah Barisan, comprised of four parties, has only Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) led by Datuk Arthur Kurup as a local entity and does not hold any seat in the state assembly. The four-party Sabah Pakatan also has only one local party - Upko, led by Datuk Ewon Benedict, who is also Sabah Pakatan chairman. Upko has one state seat currently. GRS with 42 assemblymen in the 79-member assembly, is currently in a coalition with Sabah Pakatan whose seven assemblymen backed Hajiji after Sabah Barisan led by Bung pulled out its support in January 2023. Sabah Barisan with 13 assemblymen (including two suspended for supporting GRS) remains in the Opposition bench. Two other federal unity government parties - Parti Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal with 14 assemblymen and Parti KDM with two assemblymen - have also remained in Opposition to the GRS-led state government. Sabah PAS, which is in Opposition to the national unity government, is supporting GRS.
