Kota Kinabalu: Rallies continue to be held across Sabah joined by politicians from both sides of the divide demanding justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir whose mysterious death in a religious school hostel a month ago shook Sabah and the nation.
More than 10,000 people dressed in black packed Padang Merdeka Friday night. The 7.50pm gathering began with the Sabah state anthem and a prayer, before the crowd broke into deafening chants of “Tangkap Penjenayah” (Arrest the Criminals).
Among them was Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Api-Api Assemblywoman Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
“We demand the Government quickly reform our education system. If there’s nothing wrong with the system, this kind of tragedy would not have happened,” she said and urged authorities to adopt proactive measures rather than a reactive approach in tackling bullying.
“Not too long ago, a doctor also took her own life because of bullying in the workplace.
“This bullying culture is growing and it is very dangerous. We speak with one voice that enough is enough,” she said.
In NABAWAN, over 2,000 people gathered at the District Council’s open hall for the rally organised by the Nabawan National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Squad.
Its Organising Chairman Masflie Tinggian, who also heads the Nabawan AADK Squad, said: “This demonstrates the unity and solidarity of our community, like other districts demanding justice for Zara.”
“We all want justice upheld and bullying eradicated completely, because bullying is a silent killer. Today it was Zara. We do not know who might be next.”
In TUARAN, Padang Kota Belud and its surrounding area remained spotlessly clean following Thursday’s huge solidarity rally that drew some 20,000 participants.
Resident Hasif Hamzi documented the clean condition of the venue early Friday, sharing photos on social media that quickly went viral and garnered widespread praise from netizens.
The images were subsequently shared by Sabah First Info’s page, receiving 6,900 likes and 1,400 shares.
Comments overwhelmingly praised participants from Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat for their exemplary conduct.
In TAMBUNAN, more than 2,500 people gathered where chants of “Stop Bullying!” rang out which organisers hoped would reach every resident and that protecting the young is a shared responsibility.
Rally Organiser Daniel Dilliam said the gathering aimed not to point fingers or incite anger, but to deliver a humanitarian message of justice and awareness about bullying’s dangers.
He said combating bullying requires cooperation from all parties’ not just teachers, police or parents, but the entire community. He said actions to reprimand, report and protect victims are collective responsibilities to create a safe environment for the younger generation.
The programme featured an anti-bullying talk by Christine Gloria Linus, who detailed bullying’s severe effects on victims. An Anti-Bullying Pledge was read by Prem G Kitingan.
