Kitingan calls for 'Zara Law' in Sabah to curb bullying

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Jeffrey Kitingan has urged the state to introduce what he termed a “Zara Law” aimed at combating bullying.

Kitingan invoked the spirit of the “Justice for Zara” campaign, which began following the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Papar.

He said the legislation would send a clear message that the state was serious about stamping out the bullying culture.

“On Sabah Day, in accordance with ‘Justice for Zara’, I propose that Sabah take the initiative to pass an anti-bullying law, which we can call the ‘Zara Law’, to ensure that Sabah is also free from the bullying culture,” he said during the Sabah Day Run held at Padang Merdeka yesterday.

The politician's call came amid increased public pressure on bullying after a series of high-profile cases that shocked parents and drew national attention.

In the Dewan Rakyat last week, Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid proposed reintroducing corporal punishment in schools to address bullying after the issue came to the fore with Zara's death.

Zara died in the hospital on July 17 after she was found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar at 4am the previous day.

Several rallies have taken place since the incident, demanding justice for her death, in which foul play is suspected.

Teenagers charged

In relation to her death, five teenagers had been charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Court with allegedly making threatening or insulting communications with common intention.

Their charge was framed under Section 507(1) of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34. They face up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.

Bullying was criminalised in the country under the new Penal Code amendments in July, though no standalone Anti-Bullying Act exists.

Earlier, Kitingan launched the Sabah Day Merdeka Run, which drew more than 7,000 participants. The 1,588km relay covered districts across the state, bringing together runners from diverse communities.

Kitingan said the strong turnout was a testament to Sabah’s unity and pride, while also serving to educate people about the meaning of Sabah Day.

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