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SABAH Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar met the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir today, as the Sabah DAP youth wing (DAPSY) called for the suspension of the school staff pending investigations into the 13-year-old’s death.
This comes amid a wave of Himpunan Solidariti #JusticeForZara rallies that began on 3 August in Kota Kinabalu and continued across the state.
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Datuk Hajah Juliah Salag, met Noraidah Lamat at Sri Gaya today to extend their condolences on behalf of the state government.
The meeting was also attended by members of the Welfare Association of Sabah State Assemblymens’ Wives (Mutiara GRS).
“On behalf of the State Government, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased.
“We pray that the family will be given strength to face this challenge,” Hajiji said in a statement.
Noraidah also met with PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
“I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to convey my condolences to her in person,” said Izzah, adding that Zara’s passing has united people across the country.
Expressing her sentiments, Izzah vowed to fight until those responsible receive the appropriate punishment and schools be a safe environment for children.
“What mother would not be sad to see her child gone forever. As a mother, I truly feel the sadness carried by the mother of sister Zara. She only wanted to see Zara grow up healthy, and cheerful.
“Zara was like a child to all of us. Polite in personality, noble in morals, and a person who holds firmly to religious teachings. Zara’s passing has united us across borders and differences,” she said.
The meetings came following the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) orders for an inquest into the death of the Form One student to determine if there were criminal elements in the July 16 incident.
Zara, a Form One student in Papar, was found unconscious in a drain below her school dormitory and was pronounced dead the next day.
Her family believed bullying may be a factor, while police said they are investigating the case from multiple angles.
The AGC had ordered her body to be exhumed for a post-mortem and she was reburied at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang around 1am on August 11.
Meanwhile, DAPSY Sabah called for the suspension of the principal, senior assistants of student affairs and wardens at the school where Zara attended.
“Suspension is an urgent and necessary measure to ensure that the investigation is carried out independently, transparently, and without any interference or influence from the parties involved.”
“Allowing individuals under investigation to remain in active positions, even in different locations, risks undermining public confidence in the integrity of the investigation process.”
“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” said Sabah DAP Youth chief Chan Loong Wei.
Chan added that DAPSY Sabah stands firm with the family of the late Zara and the people of Sabah in demanding full accountability, transparency, and justice. - August 13, 2025
