Thousands in Sabah rally for justice after death of 13-year-old girl linked to alleged school bullying
Public outrage has swept across Sabah following the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, allegedly linked to bullying at a religious secondary school. Thousands have rallied across towns, demanding justice, while the Education Ministry pledges sweeping reforms and full cooperation with police.
- Thirteen-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir died on 16 July after being found unconscious at her school dormitory in Sabah, initially thought to be a fall.
- Public protests followed amid allegations of bullying and cover-up. Police reopened investigations, with an exhumation and autopsy confirming injuries.
- The Education Ministry has ordered school safety audits and announced anti-bullying reforms.
The death of 13-year-old Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang, Sabah, has triggered widespread outrage across Malaysia.
Zara’s death, allegedly linked to bullying, has led to demands for justice from community groups, activists, and residents.
Thousands gathered in the streets of major towns across Sabah.
In Sandakan on 8 August, crowds held banners, recited poems, and offered prayers in her memory.
On 11 August, more than 3,000 people joined a solidarity rally in Labuan, voicing demands for accountability.
Ministry orders school safety audits
In response to public anger, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has ordered safety audits at all schools, including full boarding institutions and daily hostels.
The audits are expected to be completed and reported to senior officials within three months.
Zara was a student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah.
On 16 July, between 3am and 4am, she was found unconscious on the ground floor of her dormitory, believed to have fallen from the third floor.
She was taken to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Her burial took place on 18 July without an autopsy.
Bruises raise questions over cause of death
Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, later recalled seeing bruises on her daughter’s back during the bathing ritual, a detail not initially reported to police.
Around the same period, unverified social media claims emerged, alleging she had been bullied by senior students and that school authorities were covering up the incident.
On 30 July, the family lodged their first police report, submitting a 44-second audio recording of a conversation between Zara and her mother that cast doubt on whether the fall was accidental.
They also formally requested an exhumation for a post-mortem examination.
Case reopened after second police report
On 2 August, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that police had completed their initial investigation and submitted papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
At that time, there was no public mention of an exhumation.
On 3 August, Noraidah lodged a second police report in Sipitang, officially detailing the bruises and again urging police to reopen the case.
On 8 August, the AGC approved the exhumation and directed police to involve forensic experts.
Rumours also began circulating online, alleging VIP involvement in the case.
Education Ministry outlines anti-bullying reforms
MOE director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad announced reforms to the bullying complaint system, enabling anonymous reporting to protect victims and witnesses.
A new safety reform committee will involve experts, non-governmental organisations, police, and community representatives.
Updated school safety and discipline guidelines will be enforced, with penalties such as suspension or expulsion for bullying.
The Bangkit Bermaruah (Rise with Dignity) programme will be introduced for suspended students, focusing on community service and character development.
Teachers and officials who fail to address bullying cases will face disciplinary action.
Counselling support in schools will be expanded, with counselling teachers playing a central role.
Ministry denies protecting individuals
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh stated that the ministry had never attempted to protect anyone involved.
He emphasised that clear guidelines for handling disciplinary and bullying cases are already in place and regularly enforced.
Wong stressed that the ministry is cooperating fully with police investigations and will not compromise on bullying cases.
“The issue is being handled by the police, and the Education Ministry will leave it to the authorities to carry out their investigations,” he said.
Lawyers confirm injuries found in post-mortem
On 11 August, lawyers representing Zara’s family, Shahlan Jufri and Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, confirmed that injuries were detected during the eight-hour autopsy following the exhumation.
They did not disclose details, pending the official medical report.
“To avoid discrepancies between verbal findings and the official report, we will withhold further comment for now,” they said.
They also thanked the AGC for directing police to seek a court order for the exhumation, which was carried out at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 10 August.
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