THE Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has clarified that it was among the first agencies to offer support to the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, the 13-year-old student whose death has sparked public outcry and widespread calls for justice.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Social Welfare Department (JKM) had promptly reached out to the family and provided available services, including counselling.
“JKM met with Zara’s mother and offered the assistance we could provide, including counselling services,” she said during the launch of the Kasih Kanak-Kanak child advocacy campaign in Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday.
Nancy added that the ministry is awaiting the outcome of investigations being carried out by other authorities, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Zara Qairina, a Form One student at a religious boarding school in Papar, Sabah, was found unconscious in a drain near her hostel around 4am on 16 July, after reportedly falling from the third floor of the building. She died the following day at Hospital Queen Elizabeth I in Kota Kinabalu.
The case gained national attention amid allegations of bullying at the school, especially after several audio recordings of Zara’s conversations with her mother, Noraidah Lamat, began circulating online.
It was revealed today that In the latest viral clip — the fifth to surface — Zara is heard telling her mother about two fellow students she refers to as "Kak M" and "Kak C".
“Mum, there are two people who are not happy with me… One of them, Kak C, made peace with me already,” Zara says in the 35-second recording. “She said let the past be the past. But Kak M is still not satisfied.”
Zara adds that she doesn’t fully understand the reason for their dissatisfaction but notes that Kak C now behaves cordially and smiles when they meet.
Sinar Harian cited Noraidah’s lawyer, Hamid Ismail, confirming that the recordings are genuine conversations between Zara and her mother. While Noraidah has surrendered her phone to police, the recordings were preserved by other family members prior to the handover.
Nancy, responding to the broader context of the case, emphasised that child safety is not the government’s responsibility alone.
“Cases of abuse and bullying involving children have become more frequent, and while the government continues to act, I must remind everyone that safeguarding children is the responsibility of all levels of society,” she said.
“If you witness incidents of concern, report them. If your child confides in you about troubling experiences at school, at home or elsewhere, listen to them.”
She urged the public to use official channels such as Talian Kasih 15999 or to lodge a report directly with the police to enable swift intervention that could potentially save lives. - August 9, 2025
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