Zara Qairina Mahathir
In the early morning of 16 July 2025, Zara Qairina binti Mahathir, a Form 1 student of Tun Datu Mustapha Islamic National Secondary School in Papar, Sabah, died after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school dormitory. Early public speculation suggested that Zara may have been a victim of bullying at her school. Ongoing inquest proceedings and related investigations have since focused on determining the precise circumstances surrounding her death, including allegations of bullying and possible institutional failures.
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Oct 1, 2026
Center
A 14-year-old student's death at a Malaysian boarding school renewed scrutiny over reforms introduced after Qairina's earlier high-profile death.
The recurrence raises doubts about whether Malaysia's parallel school regulation regime is actually protecting children or shielding institutions.