Death of Zara Qairina Mahathir
 | |
| Date | 16 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar District, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Cause | The cause of her death is disputed, but some people believe it was because of bullying |
| Burial | Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol, Sipitang District |
On 16 July 2025, Zara Qairina binti Mahathir, a 13-year-old student at Tun Datu Mustapha Islamic National Secondary School in Papar, Sabah, suspected falling from the third floor of her school dormitory. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu but passed away the next day.[1]
Background of the incident
[change | change source]At about 3 am on 16 July 2025, Zara Qairina was found unconscious near a drain at the girls' dormitory of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, where she studied. No one saw what happened, but many other students were still awake at that time. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, where doctors found she had very serious internal injuries, including broken arms and legs, but no external injuries except a bleeding at her footprint. She was put on life support, but the next day doctors stopped the machine because she no longer had brain function. Zara was later buried at her family home in Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol, Sipitang District.[2]
Investigation
[change | change source]The police received the first report on the morning after Zara was found. Soon after her death, people on social media began to talk about the possibility of bullying at her school.[3] On Sunday, Zara's family made a police report at Papar district police station. They also sent a letter to the school asking for an explanation. Some people accused the former principal, Rosnih Nasir, who is said to be the wife of Deputy Minister Mustapha Sakmud. However, she denied any link, saying she had already retired in November the year before the incident.[2][4][5]
On 30 July, a post on the Internet claimed that Zara's death was caused by bullies at the school, including “VVIP kids”.[3] But Zara's family, the police, and the Sabah government all denied these claims.[6][7][8]
By early August, about 60 people had given statements to the police, including some of Zara’s schoolmates.[9] On 3 August, Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, made another police report. She said she saw bruises on her daughter’s body when preparing for the burial. Her lawyer asked for the body to be exhumed so that a post-mortem could be done.[10] The lawyers also said police did not take Zara’s clothes for forensic tests, which is not normal in such cases.[11]
On 8 August 2025, the Attorney General of Malaysia ordered Zara’s grave to be re-opened for an autopsy to find the real cause of her death. The re-opening took place on 9 August under tight police control. Many reporters and members of the public came to the site. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim promised that the investigation would be fair and transparent, and that no one would escape punishment if they were found guilty.
Trial and legal proceedings
[change | change source]On 20 August 2025, five teenage girls were charged in the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah under Section 507C(1) of the Malaysian Penal Code for allegedly using abusive language towards Zara, which may have caused her distress. All five pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they face up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.[12]
Responses
[change | change source]The death of Zara Qairina received strong reactions in Malaysia. In Parliament, Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah asked the government to explain how she died, and whether there was any cover-up.[13] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the investigation must be fair and transparent. He also discussed the case with the Inspector-General of Police and the Home Minister to speed up the process.[14]
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that the case should be solved based on the "rule of law". He warned that if the law was not followed, the country could face serious problems.[15]
Misinformation
[change | change source]On 21 August, a school teacher from Rawang, Selangor pleaded not guilty of spreading misinformation after claiming that Zara Qairina was murdered after being placed in a washing machine.[16][17]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Kronologi lengkap kes kematian Zara Qairina dibentang di Parlimen". Astro Awani (in Malay). 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
- 1 2 "'Tak sangka itu tempatnya hela nafas terakhir.' Kronologi Zara Qairina terjatuh tingkat 3, video kongsi kelebihan tinggal di asrama runtun hati" ['Unbelievable that was the place where she took her last breath.' Chronology of Zara Qairina falling from the 3rd floor, video shares the benefits of living in a dormitory, causing netizens to be heartbroken]. SinarPlus (in Malay). 2025-07-28.
- 1 2 Ang, May Vin (2025-07-31). "Chronology Of Events In The Death Of 13-Year-Old Zara Qairina At Sabah School Dorm". SAYS.
- ↑ "Mustapha denies link between wife, student's death". Daily Express. 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Hazzwan, Iqmal (2025-07-29). ""Saya Tak Terbabit, Sudah Bersara Ketika Insiden Berlaku" – Bekas Pengetua Sekolah" ["I Was Not Involved, I Had Retired When the Incident Occurred" – Former School Principal]. SAYS (in Malay).
- ↑ "Istana Seri Kinabalu denies viral claim linking Sabah Governor's family to Form One student's death in Papar". Malay Mail. 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Police say 'no evidence' linking minister's child to Form One Sabahan Zara Qairina's fatal fall". Malay Mail. 2025-08-02.
- ↑ "Mother denies VIP link in daughter's death". The Borneo Post. 2025-08-02.
- ↑ "3 schoolmates among 60 quizzed over Zara Qairina's death". FMT. 2025-08-02.
- ↑ "Mother files new police report over bruising on Zara Qairina's body". The Borneo Post. 2025-08-03.
- ↑ "Police failed to forensic-test Zara's clothes - lawyers". The Borneo Post. 2025-08-03.
- ↑ Lim, Ida (20 August 2025). "Zara Qairina's bullying case today: Here's why Malaysia's laws protect identity of children charged in court too". Malay Mail. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ↑ Wan Rou, Chia (2025-07-30). "'Pastikan keadilan, ketelusan kes Zara', tegas Ahli Parlimen PN" ['Ensure justice, transparency in Zara case', PN MP stresses]. FMT (in Malay).
- ↑ "Anwar tekankan siasatan telus kes kematian Zara Qairina" [Anwar stresses transparent investigation into Zara Qairina's death]. The Sun (in Malay). 2025-08-03.
- ↑ "Dr Mahathir gesa kes Zara Qairina diselesaikan berdasar 'rule of law'". Astro Awani (in Malay). 2025-08-16.
- ↑ "Saifuddin dismisses washing machine claims on Zara's death". New Straits Times. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ↑ Chan, Dawn (21 August 2025). "Teacher pleads not guilty to spreading fake news on Zara Qairina's death [WATCH]". New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 August 2025.