Kota Kinabalu: More political parties have joined the increasingly loud chorus demanding a thorough investigation into the mysterious death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
This is in view of there being no answers forthcoming nearly three weeks since the incident and the preliminary investigation papers by Sabah police being rejected by the Federal Attorney General’s Chambers.
Warisan Sabah, Sabah Umno, DAP Youth and Perjuang Sabah were the latest after initial concerns raised by GRS, LDP and Sabah PAS. Former Chief Minister cum Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said no individual should be shielded if wrongdoing is found.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He said the tragedy which involved a student supposedly falling from the dormitory of SMK Agama Tun Mustapha in Papar under suspicious circumstances on July 16 raised serious concerns — especially after the girl’s mother herself confirmed no post-mortem was done and claims that the school allegedly told her they would handle the case themselves.
“When the mother makes such a request, it shows there’s doubt. The investigation must be thorough — not just by the police, but also by the school and the teachers,” Shafie said during the STPM Excellence Programme and Smart TV Contribution Ceremony, here.
“If bullying truly happened, firm action must be taken. We cannot allow this culture of protecting perpetrators, because in the end, it is our children who suffer.”
Shafie said all levels of the education system — from primary to tertiary — must work together to ensure student safety and well-being and to prevent bullying taking root.
“Students must be guided early to become respectful and cooperative individuals. We must instil unity and mutual support from a young age so they grow up ready to help each other and work together.”
He also warned against allowing speculation and accusations to spread online due to delay by the authorities.
“We don’t want assumptions going viral on social media. If the authorities act swiftly and conduct a proper investigation, public anxiety — including that of parents — can be addressed.”
Zara was found unconscious at 3am that day and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said many parents in Sabah are now traumatised and afraid to send their children to boarding schools after what happened to Zara.
Bung said the incident had shaken public confidence in the safety of boarding institutions, especially those run by the Government.
“Some parents in Sabah are saying, ‘We sent our children to gain knowledge, but instead they were bullied, even killed,’” he said.
He urged the Education Ministry to urgently find a new approach to tackle bullying in schools, particularly in religious, national or elite boarding schools.
“These students come to school to learn, not to be tortured or lose their lives,” he said, adding that bullying has become widespread, especially in boarding schools.
Using the Malay proverb “melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya”, he stressed the importance of early intervention in schools.
“We talk about transforming the country, but if we can’t even transform our schools, then something is seriously wrong.”
Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang) Sabah Deputy Chief Razif Abdillah raised concerns about the lack of clarity in the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, three weeks after the incident happened.
Razif described the progress of the investigation as unclear, particularly given that the incident happened within a secondary school environment that should be a safe space for students.
The student’s body was reportedly discovered in a drain around 3am, but key details remain unanswered, he noted.
These include who discovered the body, whether it was a warden or student and the absence of information about witnesses or CCTV footage.
Several gaps in the initial reports have fuelled speculation. Early reports suggested wardens were not present at the school during the incident, raising questions about their identity and whether they were school teachers.
“We are not trying to interfere with the investigation, but this case concerns the general public as it happened in a school, a place where citizens send their children,” Razif said in a statement, Wednesday.
He said the lack of transparency could create fear among parents, especially those with children in boarding schools, particularly since this involved a government religious school.
Apart from wild allegations about the victim being placed in a washing machine, other speculations include claims about involvement of elite or VIP children among the 60 witnesses called.
Razif questioned whether there were sudden school transfers and demanded official statements from school administrators to clarify these matters.
“If there really are elite parties involved, do not compromise - bring them to court. If there is negligence by school administration, they must also be held accountable,” he said.
He said the concerns are driven by justice for the victim and family rather than political interests, calling for transparent investigations and regular updates to maintain public confidence in the country’s security system.
The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sabah called on the Education Ministry to implement immediate reforms to prevent bullying incidents in schools.
It must include stricter anti-bullying mechanisms, secure complaint channels for students, enhanced mental health support and comprehensive cyberbullying prevention programs.
“Every student deserves to grow up in an environment that is safe, respectful and nurturing. We must never allow systemic negligence to cause such tragedies to happen again,” he said.
Sabah DAPSY pledged to continue monitoring the Zara case’s progress and stand with the public in seeking justice for Zara Qairina Mahathir while pushing for safer school environments.
It called for a thorough investigation into the death of Form One student Zara, who fell from a dormitory building at a boarding school and urged immediate reforms to ensure campus safety.
Secretary NC Oneal Veneddey Vencent in a statement that should the investigation uncover any individuals involved or reveal any negligence, the authorities must act in accordance with the law.
“The investigation’s integrity must not be compromised by political or public pressure,” he said.
It supports the family’s request for an exhumation and inquest, calling on enforcement agencies and the government to protect the family’s right to seek the truth.