Sabah rep urges calm amid Zara rallies, police probe

Summary

• Gabungan Rakyat Sabah information chief Joniston Bangkuai urged calm following the Justice for Zara rallies.

• He stressed that the Sabah government shares the public’s concern and is committed to a fair investigation into the 13-year-old’s death, which has become a symbol of frustration over bullying and institutional neglect.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief Joniston Bangkuai sought to address growing unease following the most recent Justice for Zara rallies.

He stressed that the Sabah government shares the concerns of the thousands who gathered on the night of Aug 31.

“We are all affected by what is happening. So in a way, we should all stay calm. For us in the government, we must also continue to carry out our responsibilities. Even in such an environment, we must keep our focus,” he said.

The vigils, held across several districts on Sunday evening, drew crowds who demanded answers over the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose case has become a rallying point against bullying.

However, what began as an expression of grief also had political undertones.

Several Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah division leaders have since lodged a police report in Tawau, citing a 42-second clip of a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student’s speech, which they claimed was insulting and seditious.

“What matters (is that) we are all concerned with all these issues. And as the chief minister has said, the government is also very concerned with these bullying cases. He sees this as a very serious matter,” Joniston said.

The Sabah tourism, culture, and environment assistant minister was speaking to reporters in Kota Kinabalu today, referring to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, who is also the GRS chairperson.

“Investigation has been carried out, and now we have the inquest. So I think we leave it to the authorities to get to the bottom of this. And if possible, we also stay calm. I am sure a fair investigation is being carried out,” Joniston added.

‘Exploiting the tragedy’

A UMS student group today criticised the alleged arrest of its members under the Sedition Act after they attended a vigil for Zara.

Malaysiakini’s initial checks indicated that only one student had been summoned for questioning by the police.

In a statement today, Suara Mahasiswa UMS also condemned political parties that purportedly “exploited this tragedy to portray themselves as guardians of security”.

It pointed out that a vigil was a space for mourning and solidarity, not a crime.

Earlier, Tawau police chief Jasmin Hussin said they received three police reports today concerning an individual who allegedly made seditious remarks against the Sabah governor during the rally.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 506 of the Penal Code, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Zara, a student from Papar, died on July 17, following what was described as months of alleged bullying.

Her death triggered grief, anger, and urgent questions about whether teachers, administrators, and authorities had failed to act upon repeated complaints.

Her case swiftly became symbolic of broader frustration over institutional neglect, from schools accused of ignoring warning signs to state agencies perceived as sluggish in their response.

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