Chief Minister, Wife & Mutiara GRS Visit Zara Qairina’s Mother

Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, and his wife, Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Juliah Salag met with Puan Noraidah Lamat, the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, on 13 August 2025 at Sri Gaya to convey their condolences and deep sympathy.

The late Zara Qairina, a Secondary 1 student at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, passed away on 17 July 2025, days after she was found unconscious near the school dormitory. The police and law enforcement officials are still investigating the incident. Members of the Welfare Association of Sabah State Assemblymen’s Wives (Mutiara GRS) also attended the event.

“On behalf of the State Government, we express our deepest sympathy and condolences to Zara’s family. We pray that the family will be given strength to face this challenge,” Hajiji said. “The wave of solidarity #JusticeforZara# initiated by netizens calling for justice for Zara is commendable, but the public must avoid making unwarranted speculations.

We let the police and other relevant authorities to conduct the investigation, and we hope that this can be completed as soon as possible.” Juliah expressed understanding of a mother’s feelings who has lost a beloved child. “The safety of children, and especially at boarding schools, must be prioritized to prevent tragedies like this from recurring,” she said.

The death of Zara under suspicious circumstances has shocked the nation and the incidents has led to renewed calls for tightened student safety measures. Hajiji has said that the Government views the incident seriously, and has, in fact, directed the minister responsible for the Sabah education portfolio, Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd. Arifin Mohd. Arif, and the State Assemblyman for Kawang, Dato' Sri Ghulamhaidar Khan Bahadar to visit Zara while she was still receiving treatment at the hospital and to monitor the development of the case.