KePKAS Minister stands in solidarity for Justice

16 August 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew led a team of volunteers to demonstrate support for the "Justice for Zara" Solidarity Gathering at Padang Merdeka, here, on Friday night.

When interviewed by reporters, she stated that they had gathered as concerned citizens to reaffirm the message of “No to School Bullying” and to call for urgent institutional reform in residential schools, with the ultimate aim of saving lives by protecting children from abuse that could lead to tragedy.

“We stand united in demanding justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir. A bright young life has been cruelly cut short under suspicious circumstances. Her death must not be allowed to pass in vain.

“We are here together, regardless of social status or religious background, speaking with one voice for Zara, and for all other children who may have endured similar suffering, anywhere in Malaysia.

“Tonight, I call upon the relevant authorities to intensify their efforts to dismantle the toxic culture of bullying in our schools. Enough is enough. We utterly reject this harmful culture in Malaysia, particularly in educational institutions,” said Liew.

Liew advocated for a shift from reactive to proactive strategies as a means of eradicating bullying from schools.

“By ‘proactive measures’, I refer to the early identification of bullying risks and warning signs, and to swift, preventive interventions , before these behaviours escalate into violence or tragedy,” she explained.

She stressed the urgent need to move away from a reactive approach, in which authorities only respond once tragedy has already occurred and innocent lives have been lost.

In light of recent events, Liew insisted it is imperative that the authorities transform their systems and mindsets by embracing a preventative framework that can tackle bullying and other harmful behaviour at the root.

“Let us all, legislators, law enforcement, civil society, school administrators, parents, and educators, take shared responsibility in creating a safe and nurturing school environment for all children.

“Perhaps it is time to craft a comprehensive and proactive child protection policy, one that empowers teachers and hostel wardens to anticipate danger and act decisively to prevent life-threatening situations, rather than waiting for a crisis to unfold,” she suggested.

“No one wants to witness another tragedy like the one that befell Zara.”

Liew extended her heartfelt condolences to Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, over her devastating loss.

She also shared that, earlier this week, PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar had personally met Noraidah to offer her sympathies, and had pledged to fight for justice in Zara’s name.