KOTA KINABALU: More than 10,000 people dressed in black gathered at Padang Merdeka on Friday night to call for justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose death in a school hostel remains under investigation.
The gathering, which began at 7.50pm, opened with the Sabah state anthem and a prayer before the crowd chanted “Tangkap Penjenayah” (Arrest the Criminals) in unison.
People from all walks of life attended the event, showing unity in their grief and determination to seek answers.
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Among them was Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, who attended with volunteers and representatives from local non-governmental organisations.
She stressed the need for reforms to ensure that tragedies like Zara’s death do not recur, highlighting the importance of a safe environment for students, especially in boarding schools.
Christina also called for a proactive approach in tackling bullying, with early intervention to identify risks before they escalate into life-threatening situations.
She emphasised that the issue extended beyond schools, noting that bullying has affected people in workplaces and other settings across the country.
Throughout the night, the crowd chanted “We Are All Zara” as a reminder that her memory fuels the push for change and that no other child should endure the same fate.
The atmosphere was one of solidarity, with attendees sharing the grief of Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, and pledging to continue the fight for justice.