THE post-mortem report into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, will be key in determining whether her family will request an inquest, said their lawyer Shahlan Jufri.
“The next step will be for the legal team to speak with the family. Most likely, we will request an inquest, but that depends on the results of the post-mortem. A complete report is not yet available,” Shahlan told reporters following the procedure.
He added, “If we or the family are dissatisfied with the post-mortem findings, we may request an inquest... that is the priority.”
Shahlan had spent eight hours inside the mortuary at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQEI), observing the forensic team carry out the autopsy on Zara’s exhumed body. He represented Noraidah Lamat, the mother of the deceased, and was the sole family representative present during the procedure.
He noted that an inquest would not proceed if a suspect is identified and charged in court.
“If a suspect is arrested and charged, then there will be no inquest... if there is a prosecution, an inquest won’t take place,” he said.
Asked about the investigative team, Shahlan explained, “There is a special investigation unit handling the case, but I am uncertain whether it is the original team or a newly formed one... I am not sure if it’s from Bukit Aman.”
He confirmed that the family had previously submitted a formal request for the investigation papers to be returned to the Attorney General’s Chambers and for a new investigative team from Bukit Aman to be appointed.
“We did issue a media statement requesting that the Attorney General return the investigation papers and appoint a team from Bukit Aman, but we have yet to receive any outcome,” he said.
Addressing claims that Noraidah had objected to the initial post-mortem, Shahlan was firm in his response.
“One cannot blame the mother. People say, ‘Oh, the post-mortem wasn’t done, it’s the mother’s fault... why didn’t she request one?’ That is not acceptable.
“Only the authorities — the police — can authorise a post-mortem. We do not know what happened that day,” he said.
Recalling his experience in the autopsy room, Shahlan shared that this was his first time witnessing such a procedure.
“This is the first time I’ve been inside an autopsy room. I’ve only ever seen photos before. I could explain the entire process in detail right now, because it’s still vivid in my memory. One of the doctors even said they were surprised — this was the first lawyer who could endure being inside.”
He added, “I remember the condition of the deceased, the instruments used — the knives, the basins — everything. Initially, I was nervous. Then I felt pity, because to exhume and perform a post-mortem is not an easy matter. Finally, I felt humbled.”
Although he briefly stepped out twice to get fresh air in a glass observation room, Shahlan said he did not leave the vicinity throughout the eight-hour process.
“I didn’t go to the toilet. I went out twice to the glass room for some air, but each time I wasn’t there for more than five minutes before the doctors called me back in. Eventually, I realised I had to remain inside throughout,” he said.
Zara’s body was reburied at 1:15am on Monday at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Mesapol Lama, following the post-mortem at HQEI in Kota Kinabalu.
She had been exhumed on Saturday by order of the Attorney General’s Chambers to allow the forensic examination. The body, accompanied by police and family, was received by crowds chanting the Islamic declaration of faith as it was transported back to Beaufort.
The final post-mortem findings will determine whether the family proceeds with a formal request for an inquest into the cause of Zara’s death. - August 11, 2025
