Latest news with #Noraidah
Daily Express
21 hours ago
- Daily Express
Mum: What happened to my Zara?
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Noraidah showing a photo of herself with Zara. SIPITANG: A mother wants police to get to the bottom of what really happened that her 13-year-old daughter was found unconscious in the drain after apparently falling off the third floor of her Sekolah Menengah Agama Tun Datu Mustapha dormitory in Kinarut last Wednesday (July 16). Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang was found with severe injuries at 3am and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. She was buried the same day. Noraidah Lamat, 45, an Ustazah (religious teacher) said she has given full cooperation to the police and was called twice to record her statements. She said she preferred not to say anything more since the case is under investigation. Noraidah said Zara was always by her side and did not show any unusual sign or feelings before the tragedy. 'Zara chose to be sent to the Islamic Religious secondary school in Papar as it was her wish. Also, because she saw many of her friends were staying in school hostels and wanted to experience it. 'She also idolised I had stayed in a dorm before. Hence, Zara wanted to follow suit as she had always imagined the fun and joy living with friends in a school dorm,' she said. Noraidah said it was quite difficult for her to agree to Zara's choice of school in Papar as they had never been apart except when she pursued secondary studies in the Papar school. 'At first, it was tough for me to send Zara to the school and stayed in the dorm when the school session started in February. 'I kept thinking of my daughter. There was always no peace in my heart and I always worried about her. I missed her, but iyalah, this was what she wanted,' she said, sobbing. Noraidah recalled how Zara always asked her to bake her favourite 'kek batik' (chocolate biscuit layer cake) which she did when Zara was at home. Before returning to the hostel, she prepared 'kek batik' in several containers — one for her daughter and the rest for Zara's friends and dorm mates. Zara returned home last Saturday (June 12) and said she would go back to the hostel later in the afternoon on Sunday (July 13) 'Her last meal was 'roti telur' which she made not only for me but for all of us (the whole family) before she returned to the dorm,' she said. Noraidah refused to comment when asked whether her daughter complained to her about anything or anyone. She was visited by State Minister of Science, Techology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif together with Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, and Yayasan Sabah Director Dato' Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar cum Kawang assemblyman at her house at Kg Kalamauh, Mesapol, Monday. Dr Mohd Arifin who is in charge of education matters in Sabah presented a mock cheque of RM10,000 from Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS) as well as his personal contribution followed by personal contributions from Ghulam and Dr Yusof. Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah and Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Deputy Head Datuk Ustaz Malai Ali Malai Ahmad also gave their contributions through representatives. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Mum of deceased Papar student recalls final moments with her only child
KOTA KINABALU: Just hours before going back to her school hostel, Zara Qairina Mahathir made French toast for her parents. Little did they know that it would be the last meal she would ever cook for them. With teary eyes, Zara's mother, Ustazah Noraidah Lamat, recalled how her 13-year-old daughter, their only child, behaved differently that day. Zara had come home for the weekend, as she often did since choosing to live in the school dormitory in February. ALSO READ: Student's death sparks outcry and demands for action Noraidah, who teaches at a local primary school, said her daughter told her, "Mama, I'll go back late on Sunday." This puzzled her, as students were expected to return before the 3.30pm hostel curfew. 'I normally drive her back at around 11am, so we would arrive between 1pm and 2pm. But that day, she insisted on going back later. I reminded her to obey the hostel rules,' said the 45-year-old. Noraidah Lamat showing a photo taken with her only child, Zara Qairina Mahathir, who passed away last week after being found unconscious beneath her dormitory block on Wednesday (July 16). Zara, a Form One student at a fully residential school in Papar, was found unconscious beneath her dormitory block at around 3am on Wednesday (July 16), with severe injuries. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu but was pronounced dead the following night. Speaking from her home in Kampung Kalamauh, Mesapol, about 141km from here, Noraidah said Zara had never made any specific complaints about the school. However, they had previously talked about the social environment at the school, which Noraidah believes warrants further attention from the authorities. She declined to comment further but expressed hope that the case would be investigated transparently and fairly, with nothing concealed. ALSO READ: Cops piecing together events that led to Form One student's death in Papar 'I have gone to the police station twice to give my full cooperation. I cannot say more, as the investigation is ongoing,' she said. Noraidah shared that Zara's decision to stay in the hostel was entirely her own. Inspired by her mother's experience in a hostel, Zara wanted to become more independent, just like her peers. 'She admired me and often imagined how exciting hostel life would be. She frequently said she wanted to be a badar (a member of the school's religious and spiritual committee). 'Zara moved into the hostel on Feb 18. I missed her terribly. My heart was never at ease. But I respected her decision and her wish to stand on her own two feet,' said Noraidah. In the month leading up to her death, Zara had repeatedly asked her mother to make her favourite dessert, kuih batik, to share with her friends. 'She asked for it several times. I made a large batch and divided it into three containers, one for her, one for her friends, and one for her roommates,' said Noraidah, wiping away tears. Although devastated by the loss, she said she has found peace in believing that her daughter passed away while pursuing her dreams and aspirations. On Sunday (July 19), Noraidah received a visit from the Ziarah Rahmah outreach programme, led by Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif and Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar. The tragedy has been widely discussed on social media, with netizens calling for action from both state and federal leaders, while allegations of bullying have been raised. Police are still investigating the incident. COMP SABAH & SARAWAK Sabah, Papar, Student, Death, Dormitory, Zara Qairina Mahathir, Mother, Noraidah Lamat, Hostel, Investigation, Police
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
She just wanted to eat 'kek batik' - Mother recalls final moments with daughter
Noraidah showing a portrait of her daughter.-Information Department photo SIPITANG (July 22): Noraidah Lamat recalled that her daughter, Zara Qairina Mahathir, had always asked for 'kek batik' in the weeks before her death. 'For about a month, she kept asking for 'kek batik'. I prepared it in two or three containers — one for her, one for her friends, and one for her roommates,' said Noraidah at their home in Kampung Kalamauh, about 7km from Sipitang town, on Monday. 'She always wanted to eat out, but at home, it was always kek batik. In fact, the Sunday before she returned to her hostel, she cooked roti telur (egg bread). That was the last meal she made at home,' added the 45-year teacher whose daughter passed away last Thursday after she fell from a third-floor dormitory in Papar a day earlier. 'I was surprised… she was about to leave for her hostel but still wanted to cook for us.' Although she was puzzled by Zara's unusual request to return late to the hostel that day, Noraidah who teaches at a primary school in Sipitang, still reminded her daughter to follow the hostel rules. 'Normally, I would take her back by 11am and arrive there around 1 or 2pm, but that day she said, 'Mama, Zara will go back late this Sunday, okay?' I told her, that's too late. The hostel's latest check-in time is 3 30pm.' Noraidah shared her heartbreaking memories when Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif visited her home on Monday and presented RM10,000 from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) alongside other aid. Arifin was joined by Yayasan Sabah director Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and Qhazanah Sabah chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob. On her daughter's decision to enrol in boarding school, Noraidah said it had been Zara's own wish. 'She wanted it. Many of her friends were in boarding schools, and she idolised me — she always imagined the joy of living in a hostel,' she said. Noraidah reaffirmed her full cooperation with the police and called for a transparent, fair, and thorough investigation into her daughter's tragic death. The incident, which has since gone viral, sparked widespread outrage and speculation that Zara – a top-performing student – may have jumped from the third floor due to bullying. Arifin, who is the State Education Exco, on Sunday assured that full cooperation will be given to police investigating the tragic death. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had earlier expressed condolences, visited the family at the hospital, and pledged the ministry's full cooperation with authorities.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Mother seeks transparent probe into daughter's death in school dormitory
SIPITANG: "I want a transparent, fair and just investigation." These were the words of Noraidah Lamat, the mother of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who recently died after allegedly falling from the third floor of a school dormitory building. The incident involving the student from Sipitang has also been linked to bullying among students at the school. Noraidah, 45, a teacher, recounted that the last time she met her only daughter was during a school gotong-royong (communal work) programme on July 12. "On that Saturday (July 12), the school held a gotong-royong. My daughter really wanted me to attend. Before that, she had called using a public phone and said, 'Mama, please come'. "I joked with her that I'm not good at gotong-royong. But the next morning, I left Sipitang at about 9am. "Only a few people were there for the programme, so she was very happy. After the gotong-royong ended, we went straight back to Sipitang," she said. The following Sunday, she sent Zara back to the dormitory. "I didn't notice anything unusual; she was still her usual enthusiastic self," she said. Noraidah further said that on the same Saturday, Zara spent the evening at the Esplanade Public Park playing games with her friend until 7pm. "I picked them up after that and we went home. The next day, I sent her back to the hostel. "When we were about to leave for the dorm, she said she wanted to go back a bit later than usual. But I didn't suspect anything. Around 1pm, I told her we had to leave. The latest she could arrive was by 3.30pm," she said when met at her home today. Noraidah also recalled that on Sunday, before returning to the dorm, Zara cooked egg bread. "That was the last meal she brought and cooked at my house. I found it strange at the time. She cooked it for us," she said. Originally from Kampung Naluyan, Noraidah expressed hope that the investigation into her daughter's death would be carried out transparently and fairly. Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who visited Noraidah today, also presented a RM10,000 contribution from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS), in addition to other cash assistance. Also present were Qhazanah Sabah Berhad chairman and Sindumin assemblyman, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, and Yayasan Sabah director, Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar. Meanwhile, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in a separate development, expressed condolences and visited the family at the hospital to ensure all their needs were met and their welfare looked after. In a statement, she said the Education Ministry (KPM) would fully cooperate with the authorities in the ongoing investigation. Papar police chief Superintendent Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka had said police were conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of Zara's death.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Mother urges fair probe into daughter's death at hostel
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Arifin presents the contribution to Noraidah while others look on. SIPITANG: The mother of 13-year-old Zara Qairina, who died after being found with serious injuries beneath her school dormitory block, has urged for a transparent and fair investigation. Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, 45, said she had cooperated fully with the police and recorded her statement twice. Advertisement Noraidah, who is also a primary school teacher, told reporters that she could not comment further while police investigations involving her were still ongoing. Zara, her only child, had been eager to experience hostel life at her Islamic secondary boarding school in Papar, inspired by her mother's own school memories. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also in charge of the State's education matters, and local leaders visited the family home in Mesapol on Monday to offer condolences and deliver contributions, while police continue their inquiry into the case. During the visit, Arifin presented a mock cheque for RM10,000 from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) and also gave a personal contribution to Noraidah. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
