Thousands of people gathered at the Harbour Mall square in Sandakan last night to demand justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Members of the public began arriving as early as 7pm, holding placards and banners in support, while police officers were deployed to maintain order.
The two-hour event featured poetry recitals, speeches, and prayers for Zara Qairina.
Mohamad Kadir Abdul Jalil, representing the Secretariat for Zara Solidarity, said the vigil aimed to show solidarity and sympathy for Zara’s family while calling for the truth behind the incident to be revealed.
“We urge friends and the public not to make slanderous or inappropriate remarks about the case. Let the authorities handle the investigation.
“We did not expect such overwhelming support. Thank you, Sandakan residents, for standing together,” he said.
Also present were Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee and Elopura state assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun.
One attendee, Muhamad Zarif Samsudin, chairman of Wasatiyyah Mosque in Batu Sapi, said he hoped justice would be served and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation.
“We are also seeing a lot of misinformation being spread. Let the police and authorities investigate and be accountable,” he added.
Similar vigils were held in other parts of Sabah, including Tawau and Lahad Datu.
On July 16, Zara, a Form One student in Papar, was believed to have fallen from the third floor of her school building. She was found unconscious in a drain near the hostel around 4am and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
