Kota Kinabalu: Thousands took the opportunity of National Day and Sabah Day celebrations to also highlight the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir’s unsolved death and demanding decisive action to end bullying.
A peaceful rally at the sports complex lasted over two hours. Among those present was Warisan Legal Advisor Chin Tek Ming.
The gathering centred on the case of Zara, a 13-year-old who was allegedly bullied at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar.
On July 16, she was found unconscious with multiple serious injuries. Despite medical efforts at Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Zara succumbed to her injuries the following day.
For the record, the death of Zara has not yet gone to a full trial, apart from a case for alleged bullying and an inquest this month.
The coroner’s inquest will begin today (Sept 3) at the Coroner’s Court in Kota Kinabalu. Her mother and the teenagers involved will be able to participate in the proceedings.
At the same time, five teenagers have been charged with bullying in the Children’s Court. These bullying charges are handled separately and are not directly connected to the investigation into how she died.
In TAWAU, thousands joined a peaceful solidarity rally on Sunday, calling for justice in the case.
The #JusticeForZara 2.0 rally, organised by Ikatan Anak Muda Tawau (IKAT), saw participants march from the Waqaf Ahmad Bin Daing Mapata Mosque to the Tawau Municipal Council grounds at 8pm.
This is the second rally organised by Ikat and the third held in the district over three consecutive days by different organisers.
Container trucks joined the procession, displaying solidarity messages on banners and vehicle-mounted displays.
Police maintained a visible presence as speakers, particularly IKAT activists, addressed the crowd from truck platforms using loudspeakers.
The peaceful gathering lasted until about 10.15pm, with most participants dressed in black.
Participants expressed frustration over the prolonged case, demanding answers from the Education Ministry more than a month after Zara’s death.
They criticised inadequate handling of school bullying cases and called for stricter measures to prevent such incidents and protect students.
Speakers also questioned school principals’ accountability and criticised recent meetings arranged between involved teachers and social media influencers.
Parents expressed concerns about sending children to boarding schools, including fully residential schools.
Some demanded Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s resignation.
The rally also touched on broader issues including anti-corruption efforts and government administration.
Ikat previously held the first #JusticeForZara rally three weeks ago at Chester Road roundabout before organising Sunday’s event to coincide with the National Day and Sabah Day celebrations.
In KUDAT, over 10,000 people flooded Padang Bandaran on Sunday demanding justice for Zara.
The Solidarity and Justice Rally 2.0, organised by 15 activist groups and non-governmental organisations from Kudat, drew participants from across society and all age groups, including those from neighbouring districts such as Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Matunggong and Pulau Banggi.
People came dressed in black, held banners and placards.
The event began at 8.30pm with the singing of the national anthem and state anthem followed by the recitation of the Rukun Negara and prayers.
In KUNAK, over a thousand, including residents from Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu, gathered at the Padang Pekan Kunak on Saturday for the third “Justice for Zara” solidarity rally held in the district.
The gathering, organised by a coalition of more than 20 NGOs, called for transparency and justice in the investigation.
Programme coordinator Kasman Karate pointed out the non-partisan nature of the event, saying that participants came together regardless of political affiliations to express solidarity and demand clear answers from authorities regarding the case.
In SANDAKAN, 20,000 people gathered at Padang Bandar Sandakan on Sunday for the “Vigil Action 2.0 Sandakan Justice for Zara” organised by the Zara Solidarity Secretariat.
The crowd included not only Sandakan residents but also participants from Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid and Lahad Datu.
Several local leaders and elected representatives joined the thousands in attendance, many of whom remained despite rainfall.
A peaceful rally at the sports complex lasted over two hours. Among those present was Warisan Legal Advisor Chin Tek Ming.
The gathering centred on the case of Zara, a 13-year-old who was allegedly bullied at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar.
On July 16, she was found unconscious with multiple serious injuries. Despite medical efforts at Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Zara succumbed to her injuries the following day.
For the record, the death of Zara has not yet gone to a full trial, apart from a case for alleged bullying and an inquest this month.
The coroner’s inquest will begin today (Sept 3) at the Coroner’s Court in Kota Kinabalu. Her mother and the teenagers involved will be able to participate in the proceedings.
At the same time, five teenagers have been charged with bullying in the Children’s Court. These bullying charges are handled separately and are not directly connected to the investigation into how she died.
In TAWAU, thousands joined a peaceful solidarity rally on Sunday, calling for justice in the case.
The #JusticeForZara 2.0 rally, organised by Ikatan Anak Muda Tawau (IKAT), saw participants march from the Waqaf Ahmad Bin Daing Mapata Mosque to the Tawau Municipal Council grounds at 8pm.
This is the second rally organised by Ikat and the third held in the district over three consecutive days by different organisers.
Container trucks joined the procession, displaying solidarity messages on banners and vehicle-mounted displays.
Police maintained a visible presence as speakers, particularly IKAT activists, addressed the crowd from truck platforms using loudspeakers.
The peaceful gathering lasted until about 10.15pm, with most participants dressed in black.
Participants expressed frustration over the prolonged case, demanding answers from the Education Ministry more than a month after Zara’s death.
They criticised inadequate handling of school bullying cases and called for stricter measures to prevent such incidents and protect students.
Speakers also questioned school principals’ accountability and criticised recent meetings arranged between involved teachers and social media influencers.
Parents expressed concerns about sending children to boarding schools, including fully residential schools.
Some demanded Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s resignation.
The rally also touched on broader issues including anti-corruption efforts and government administration.
Ikat previously held the first #JusticeForZara rally three weeks ago at Chester Road roundabout before organising Sunday’s event to coincide with the National Day and Sabah Day celebrations.
In KUDAT, over 10,000 people flooded Padang Bandaran on Sunday demanding justice for Zara.
The Solidarity and Justice Rally 2.0, organised by 15 activist groups and non-governmental organisations from Kudat, drew participants from across society and all age groups, including those from neighbouring districts such as Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Matunggong and Pulau Banggi.
People came dressed in black, held banners and placards.
The event began at 8.30pm with the singing of the national anthem and state anthem followed by the recitation of the Rukun Negara and prayers.
In KUNAK, over a thousand, including residents from Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu, gathered at the Padang Pekan Kunak on Saturday for the third “Justice for Zara” solidarity rally held in the district.
The gathering, organised by a coalition of more than 20 NGOs, called for transparency and justice in the investigation.
Programme coordinator Kasman Karate pointed out the non-partisan nature of the event, saying that participants came together regardless of political affiliations to express solidarity and demand clear answers from authorities regarding the case.
In SANDAKAN, 20,000 people gathered at Padang Bandar Sandakan on Sunday for the “Vigil Action 2.0 Sandakan Justice for Zara” organised by the Zara Solidarity Secretariat.
The crowd included not only Sandakan residents but also participants from Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid and Lahad Datu.
Several local leaders and elected representatives joined the thousands in attendance, many of whom remained despite rainfall.
