Ministry prioritises probe into Sabah student's death - Fadhlina

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry is giving top priority to the case of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died after being found unconscious in a drain near a school hostel in Papar, Sabah.

She gave her assurance that a fair and transparent investigation would be carried out to ensure justice is served.

“We are fully cooperating with the Royal Malaysia Police. So, for this matter, all aspects related to assisting the investigation are being given full attention … we also need to be fair by ensuring the well-being of the school community,” she said.

She said this when winding up the debate on the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Zara, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu at 11am on July 17.

She was taken to the hospital for treatment after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of a religious school at 4am on July 16.

On the amendments to the Education Act 1996 (Act 550), which were passed in the Dewan Rakyat tonight to make secondary education compulsory, Fadhlina said they aim to ensure that parents share responsibility in their children's education.

She said the Education Ministry is committed to ensuring that children continue to attend school even if they face various challenges, including poverty.

“We have coordinated assistance at the ministry’s level to ensure that our children receive the necessary support, be it in terms of scholarships or other school-related assistance such as uniforms and so on,” she said.

- Bernama

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