Zara Qairina: Nik Nazmi urges Education Minister to prioritise student safety rather than being defensive

He stressed that parents are entitled to be informed and assured about their children’s safety in school.

11 Aug 2025 05:20pm

Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad - BERNAMA FILE PIX

KUALA LUMPUR - Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has called on the Education Ministry to focus on ensuring student safety rather than being defensive over public concerns, particularly in light of the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Speaking during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Nik Nazmi stressed that parents were entitled to be informed and assured about their children’s safety in school.

“Setiawangsa welcomes the government’s commitment, including from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure a transparent investigation into Zara's case.

“I hope the Education Minister will not take a defensive stance on this matter as it concerns a fundamental issue which is the safety of children in schools.

“We could not point fingers at parents for making speculations or anything else. The most important thing is to show that the government will take serious action and not belittle the concerns voiced by the public,” he said.

Zara Qairina was reported to have fallen from the third floor of a religious school dormitory building in Papar on July 16, before being pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital.

The case has drawn significant public and media attention, especially after Zara’s body was exhumed 23 days after burial for further investigation at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Mesapol Lama, Sipitang, Sabah.

Zara, a Form One student, was found unconscious at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar on July 16 and died the next day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.

Nik Nazmi said the issue of bullying must be dealt with decisively to keep the education system on the right track.

He added that academic performance should not be the sole priority if student safety was neglected.

“The issue of bullying has received widespread attention and if we need a shift in the education system, then we must do it to guarantee the safety of our children,” he said.