Inquest continues with new witness in Zara Qairina case

KOTA KINABALU (March 31): The inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir continued today with a new witness who claimed to have seen the deceased around 2am on the third floor of Block A hostel at SMKA Tun Mustapha.

The witness, a Form 2 student last year, provided her account to the court, said counsel Datuk Ram Singh outside the Kota Kinabalu court building.

“I must say this witness is very honest, very daring, who came forward to assist in this inquest,” said Ram.

According to Ram, the witness stated in her testimony that she had been on the second floor of the hostel when she noticed someone loitering on the corridor on the third floor.

She claimed she could identify Zara by her attire and spoke with her for about 10 minutes, accompanying her back to her dorm before returning to her own dorm in Block B.

“She alleged that Zara’s face was red and that she appeared to be crying,” he said.

Counsel Joan Goh, also present, said the witness will continue her testimony on Wednesday, after which her mother will be called to testify.

Goh added that the witness was the closest to the incident, having seen Zara coming out of the toilet and walking aimlessly nearby before the tragic event.

The witness reportedly asked Zara why she was crying and received a response.

She also explained that the witness’ statement was not previously recorded by police because the witness had been frightened after an earlier interview with a female officer who raised her voice.

“Only recently, she spoke of the matter and the school teacher contacted the police officer,” said Goh.

Meanwhile, counsel Shahlan Jufri said they have received an 84-page report on Zara from forensic psychiatrist consultant Dr Chua Sze Huang, who is scheduled to testify this Thursday.

Shahlan is representing Zara’s family, while Ram and Goh represent one of the five students accused.

Zara died on July 17 last year at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, after being admitted at around 3am on July 16 following an alleged fall from the third floor of the school’s hostel.