Zara inquest: Teacher told coroner he cautioned students over theft allegation against Zara

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 30): The Coroner’s Court here on Friday was told that several classmates, including Student A, approached a Geography teacher alleging that the late Zara Qairina Mahathir had committed theft.

The teacher, Mohd Sham M Nasir, 27, said in his witness statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that he reminded Zara’s classmates, including Student A, not to accuse her without solid evidence.

Mohd Sham testified that he was approached after one of Zara’s classmates looked sad, as if she wanted to cry, in class on July 14.

When the witness asked what was wrong, she claimed that her RM20 had gone missing while she was on her way to the science laboratory.

The witness conducted a spot check in the classroom but did not find the student’s money.

Zara, 13, was found unconscious under her dormitory building on July 16, 2025 and died the next day at the hospital.

On Aug 20, 2025, five minors identified as Students A, B, C, D, E were charged with using insulting words against Zara, with the court case currently ongoing.

MORE TO COME