PENAMPANG: Kevin George Doudilim (33) from Penampang knows firsthand the pain and lasting trauma of being bullied. As a Form One student in a school in Kuala Lumpur, he was a victim of bullying, a difficult experience that haunted him for years.
He had moved to Kuala Lumpur with his mother at the time.
“I knew exactly how it felt to be bullied. It wasn’t easy to regain my confidence and strength, but I managed,” he shared.
Motivated by his personal journey, Kevin took the lead as organiser of the JusticeForZara peace rally held at the Penampang Stadium Complex car park on Saturday.
The rally was part of a nationwide movement sparked by the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, a Form One student who was allegedly bullied before being found lying unconscious near her school dormitory in Papar.
Kevin was assisted by family members and friends, with no ties to any NGOs. He said his efforts were purely to show support for Zara’s grieving family.
Despite limited funds, he said even a car park was enough, as long as people could gather in solidarity over Zara’s death.
“If no action is taken and the bully is still not arrested, more groups will come forward to express their anger. This injustice affects not just the family, but all Malaysians,” he said.
Despite sudden heavy rain and strong winds, the rally began at 5pm with attendees steadily arriving to show their support.
Around 6.15pm, the rain grew heavier, but the crowd remained there. They continued chanting, “Justice for Zara!”.
Another attendee, known by social media name as Wan Paparazi, from Kampung Beringis, Papar, was helping to organise his fourth rally in support of the JusticeForZara movement.
He shared that what he and others wanted was just the simple truth.
“We don’t want delays. The longer it takes, the more anxious people become. We just want to know who caused Zara’s death and see that justice is served according to Malaysian law,” he said.
He added that since the incident occurred within the school compound, the principal, as the head of the institution and the wardens, who are responsible for student welfare, should be held accountable.
“But the way I see it, no one has been charged yet. It’s strange, because this isn’t a small matter, it’s straightforward. We just want the truth,” he added.
He had moved to Kuala Lumpur with his mother at the time.
“I knew exactly how it felt to be bullied. It wasn’t easy to regain my confidence and strength, but I managed,” he shared.
Motivated by his personal journey, Kevin took the lead as organiser of the JusticeForZara peace rally held at the Penampang Stadium Complex car park on Saturday.
The rally was part of a nationwide movement sparked by the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, a Form One student who was allegedly bullied before being found lying unconscious near her school dormitory in Papar.
Kevin was assisted by family members and friends, with no ties to any NGOs. He said his efforts were purely to show support for Zara’s grieving family.
Despite limited funds, he said even a car park was enough, as long as people could gather in solidarity over Zara’s death.
“If no action is taken and the bully is still not arrested, more groups will come forward to express their anger. This injustice affects not just the family, but all Malaysians,” he said.
Despite sudden heavy rain and strong winds, the rally began at 5pm with attendees steadily arriving to show their support.
Around 6.15pm, the rain grew heavier, but the crowd remained there. They continued chanting, “Justice for Zara!”.
Another attendee, known by social media name as Wan Paparazi, from Kampung Beringis, Papar, was helping to organise his fourth rally in support of the JusticeForZara movement.
He shared that what he and others wanted was just the simple truth.
“We don’t want delays. The longer it takes, the more anxious people become. We just want to know who caused Zara’s death and see that justice is served according to Malaysian law,” he said.
He added that since the incident occurred within the school compound, the principal, as the head of the institution and the wardens, who are responsible for student welfare, should be held accountable.
“But the way I see it, no one has been charged yet. It’s strange, because this isn’t a small matter, it’s straightforward. We just want the truth,” he added.