On Sunday, 10 August 2025, more than 3,000 people gathered in Labuan for a ‘Justice for Zara Qairina’ rally, showing a display of unity that transcended political and social lines.
Many attendees dressed in black and held placards bearing phrases like “Justice for Zara Qairina” and “Stop Bullying.”
This gathering came just days after similar rallies were held across Sabah, as public grief and anger over the 13-year-old’s death continued to intensify
The girl was discovered unconscious at her school’s dormitory in Papar last month.
The show of public grief and anger marked the latest chapter in a case that has gripped Sabah for weeks, a case that began in the early hours of July 16.
16 July 2025 – Early Morning Discovery
At about 3 am on Wednesday, Zara was found lying unconscious in a drain outside the girls’ dormitory at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, Sabah.
Police said she was believed to have fallen from the third floor, though no witnesses or CCTV evidence were reported.
Authorities received a report at 8:16 am, and she was quickly transported to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQE I) in Kota Kinabalu.
17 July 2025 – Passing and Burial Without Autopsy
Zara suffered severe internal injuries and broken bones. She was pronounced dead at 1 pm on Thursday, according to Astro Awani.
That night, she was buried in her hometown of Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol, Sipitang.
According to ebantuan, hospital staff had advised an autopsy, but the family was told it was not mandatory if her death was recorded as accidental.
When preparing her for burial, her mother noticed unusual bruises on her back, which deepened her doubts about the cause of death.
18 July 2025 – Bullying Allegations Emerge
By Friday, social media was flooded with messages of grief and anger under the hashtag #JusticeForZara.
Allegations that she had been bullied before her death began to circulate.
MARA or (People’s Trust Council) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, called for the authorities to investigate.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also visited Zara’s family and pledged to work closely with the police.
21–23 July 2025 – Family Speaks
On 21 July, Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, spoke publicly about their last weekend together and demanded a fair, transparent investigation.
26–28 July 2025 – Calls for Calm
On 26 July, Education Minister Fadhlina urged the public to allow police time to complete their work.
On 28 July, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun echoed this message, asking people to refrain from speculation.
30–31 July 2025 – Investigations Advance, Allegations Grow
New claims appeared on a now-deleted social media post that several students, some allegedly children of prominent figures, were involved in bullying Zara.
The allegations were raised in parliament by Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, who urged a quick resolution to the case.
On 31 July, Commissioner Jauteh announced that 60 people had been interviewed, including dorm residents, hospital staff, and a lab assistant.
He said bullying had “not been ruled out” but that more evidence was needed before any reclassification of the case.
1–6 August 2025 – Audio Clip Sparks Public Outrage
Following the allegations that children of prominent figures were involved in the student’s death, police clarified that there was no evidence linking Zara Qairina’s death to any such individuals, including ministers’ families or the Sabah State Palace.
Papar District Police Chief Superintendent Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka stressed that the investigation was being conducted fairly and transparently, with no compromise.
He explained that checks found no records of any VIP children attending the school where the incident occurred.
Additionally, an audio recording of a tearful conversation between Zara and her mother, made prior to her fall, went viral.
Following this, lawyers representing Zara’s mother supported its authenticity.
The recording ignited fresh outrage.
A petition demanding an inquest attracted more than 250,000 signatures, and #JusticeForZara trended nationwide.
7 August 2025 – Mother Hands Over Key Evidence
On 7 August, the streets of Lahad Datu, Tawau, and other districts in Sabah filled with people demanding justice for Zara. Participants gathered in the evening, chanting “Justice for Zara,” reciting poems, and singing songs in her memory.
Organisers urged unity and peaceful calls for accountability.
That same day, Zara’s mother handed her mobile phone to the police, saying it contained the audio recording of their conversation on the night of the incident.
She said the recording captured Zara making distressing claims about being physically harmed.
Additionally, the Education Ministry lodged over 10 police reports regarding misleading social media posts and videos about the case, citing concerns over potential harassment of teachers and students.
8 August 2025 – AGC Orders Exhumation
On 8 August, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) ordered Zara’s grave to be exhumed, citing critical gaps in the investigation, including the absence of an autopsy before burial, missing toxicology tests, and incomplete witness assessments.
9 August 2025 – Exhumation in Sipitang
On 9 August, forensic police began the exhumation at 6.04 pm at the village cemetery in Kampung Kalamauh Mesapol, Sipitang, in the presence of her mother, police officers, and religious officials.
NST reported that around 100 relatives, neighbours, and friends gathered nearby to witness the proceedings.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim further assured citizens that the probe would be carried out with full transparency and without any compromise.
Zara’s remains were taken to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital for a CT scan before being kept at the Medical Forensics Department ahead of a scheduled autopsy the next morning.
Her mother’s legal counsel stated that the process went smoothly despite earlier heavy rain, and voiced hope that the autopsy would shed light on the truth.
10 August 2025 – Post-Mortem Conducted
Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun, a forensic pathology expert from Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang, arrived in Kota Kinabalu to head the post-mortem alongside three other physicians from Queen Elizabeth Hospital I.
The autopsy, which began at 11 am, lasted about eight hours and was witnessed by the family’s legal representative.
Once completed, Zara’s remains were readied for reburial at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang.
A Movement That Shows No Sign of Fading
From the rallies across Sabah and Labuan to the meticulous post-mortem process, the calls for truth and justice have only grown louder.
For Zara’s family and supporters, the hope remains that the findings will finally reveal what happened and ensure no other child suffers a similar fate.
Watch the videos here:
@belljr89 Jika engkau merasakan sakit pada dirimu, itu tandanya engkau masih hidup tapi jika engkau merasakan sakit yang di rasakan orang lain, itu tandanya engkau manusia. #justiceforzara #pesanan
@bw_wanted02 #justice for zara
@geo8017 Labuan justice for zara#justiceforzara
@sayangsabah.com.my ‘Sayang,cinta, rindu’- arwah Zara. #fyp #tiktok #beritaditiktok #news #sayangsabah
@kay_qaw Semoga kes ini disiasat dengan telus tanpa sebarang campur tangan ghaib atau pengaruh luar, agar pelaku menerima hukuman setimpal mengikut lunas undang-undang. Dan semoga mereka yang dipertanggungjawabkan berani serta bersedia memikul tanggungjawab atas apa yang berlaku sehingga meragut nyawa Zara Qairana. Teruskan doa dan sokongan buat ibu Allahyarham Zara Qairina. Semoga Allah mengurniakan ketenangan, kekuatan, dan kemenangan kepada pihak yang berada di jalan kebenaran اللَّهُمَّ أَنْزِلِ السَّكِينَةَ وَالثَّبَاتَ فِي قُلُوبِنَا وَقُلُوبِ آلِ زَارَا، وَأَيِّدْهُمْ بِنَصْرِكَ، وَاحْفَظْهُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ سُوءٍ، وَأَظْهِرِ الْحَقَّ وَأَهْلَهُ، وَأَبْطِلِ الْبَاطِلَ وَأَهْلَهُ. “Ya Allah, turunkanlah ketenangan dan keteguhan dalam hati kami dan hati keluarga Zara. Sokonglah mereka dengan pertolongan-Mu, lindungilah mereka dari segala keburukan, nyatakanlah kebenaran dan pendukungnya, serta batalkanlah kebatilan dan para pendukungnya.”
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