A nation’s outrage: The Zara Qairina case

The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir has gripped Malaysia not just because of how tragic the case is, but because it reflects a deeper failure in how the nation protects its children.

A recording of Zara’s phone call with her mother – in which she is heard crying and seemingly threatened – has spread widely on social media. The clip turned what might have remained an isolated tragedy into a catalyst for outrage.

A memorandum has since been submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry and a complete overhaul of how boarding schools ensure student safety.

Zara died on July 16, a day after falling from the third floor of her dormitory at a religious school in Papar, Sabah. In the days leading up to her death, the Form One pupil at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan had told her mother about senior students and their alleged threats.

This isn’t the first time bullying allegations have emerged from Malaysia’s boarding schools. But this case has struck a nerve. It has exposed a culture of silence and impunity – where abuse is excused as tradition, and fear mistaken for discipline.

Despite mounting public anger, the official response has felt distant. Many Malaysians believe the Education Ministry is not doing enough, and have criticised its minister, Fadhlina Sidek, for a perceived lack of empathy and visible leadership.

The ministry’s statements have been described as cold, bureaucratic, and out of step with the emotional weight of the moment.

Twentytwo13 understands that the ministry has provided counselling and support for the teacher and students following the incident. But is that enough?

A student is dead. Did the system fail her – or the school?

Meanwhile, speculation continues as police investigate the case. Both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor have assured Malaysians that justice will be served.

Late on Wednesday, police issued warnings against sharing unverified information online. The agency reminded the public that sharing images or personal details of minors involved in investigations is a crime under the Child Act, Penal Code, and Communications and Multimedia Act. While these legal reminders are valid, they did little to reassure those demanding accountability.

The problem runs deeper 

Experts say the issue goes beyond any single case. Dr Amar Singh HSS, a senior paediatrician and child rights advocate, said seniority-based hierarchies in boarding schools often breed bullying.

“Children who have been punished or bullied themselves often repeat the cycle. It becomes a group behaviour that schools fail to stop,” he said.

The statistics support his warning. According to Dr Amar, the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017 found that up to 16 per cent of 27,497 teenagers aged 13–17 from 212 schools across the country reported being bullied.

A 2018 Kindness Project survey by Unicef also revealed that three in four children had experienced bullying – much of it within school walls. The study involved 1,001 schoolchildren under 18, and 1,010 online participants.

A 2023 Malaysian study published in BMC Public Health showed that adolescents who experienced bullying were at four times greater risk of attempting suicide. The sample was based on the 2017 National Health Morbidity Survey dataset, involving 27,497 students.

Data from the Education Ministry in 2025 revealed that 5,703 students were involved in bullying in 2024 – a slight drop from 5,891 the year before.

While data can guide our next course of action, we must remember that these numbers represent Malaysia’s future.

Dr Amar believes change must happen at the systemic level. He advocates a whole-school approach – with empathy training, social-emotional learning, bystander empowerment, and teacher–parent engagement.

“We must promote positive relationships in schools.

“And we must push for strong anti-bullying procedures that are monitored and accountable,” he told Twentytwo13.

What makes Zara’s case different is its timing and visibility. The viral phone call, the public pressure, and the emotional response have brought the country to a crossroads. Malaysians are no longer satisfied with platitudes or promises. They want answers – and reform.

The memorandum to the King is more than symbolic. It reflects a belief that justice may need to come from above if it cannot come from within.

What happened to Zara didn’t just affect her family – it shook the nation. We do not need to be parents to feel the weight of losing a child, or to demand change that protects the next.