KOTA KINABALU: The quiet majority has long chosen to stay silent regarding the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathi, not out of disagreement, but to avoid conflict and continue with their daily routines.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak noted that when issues that resonate with the public start to impact their lives, this silence gradually evolves into a subtle form of protest.
Zara, a Form One student, passed away at Hospital Queen Elizabeth on July 17 after being discovered unconscious in a drain near the school dormitory in Papar on the morning of July 16.
“The Justice for Zara movement demonstrates how a singular issue can bring people together like never before.
“It signifies a profound frustration that can no longer be overlooked,” Salleh expressed in his recent Facebook update.
The Usukan assemblyman remarked that when those who were previously silent begin to voice their concerns, when discussions turn towards justice and the future, and when public confidence in the system starts to wane,
“it is a clear indication that the silent majority is awakening,” he added.
Salleh emphasised that when this discontent transforms into a public movement, it transcends mere feelings. It evolves into a people’s movement — courageous, vocal, and not easily quelled.
