By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 11: The massive public outcry over the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir is a rare show of anger from the people of Sabah, erupting not only out of grief but also from years of frustration, claims the Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ).
In a statement issued today, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) expressed its condolences to the teenager’s family, saying that the public’s reaction to the case has been unprecedented.
“Large-scale demonstrations in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Sipitang—an uncommon sight in Sabah—have erupted not only out of grief but also from years of frustration,” said its president, Robert Pei.
He said that the case, circulating widely on social media and reported in both mainstream and community outlets, has raised serious allegations of extreme bullying and abuse.
Pei added that while the official cause of death has yet to be independently confirmed, widespread public discussion and online reports have linked the case to individuals allegedly connected to high-profile political figures in Sabah.
These claims, he said, whether ultimately proven or not, are significant because they reflect deep public distrust in the impartiality of the justice system.
Therefore, SSRANZ has called on the Sabah government to:
- Establish an independent, transparent inquiry into Zara Qairina’s death, with findings made public.
- Investigate without fear or favour any individuals, regardless of political or social status, whose names have surfaced in connection with the case.
- Protect whistleblowers, witnesses, and investigators from any form of intimidation.
- Enforce strict anti-bullying measures and improve safeguarding protocols in all schools.
“The people of Sabah deserve more than condolences. They deserve justice, accountability, and a future where their children can grow up safe, educated, and free from the shadow of political privilege,” he said.
Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at a hospital in Sabah on July 17, a day after she reportedly fell from the third floor of her school dormitory.
Her family believed that her death was linked to bullying. — DayakDaily
