THE inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir continued this week in Kota Kinabalu with harrowing testimony from child witnesses, revealing emotional distress, strained family dynamics and alleged bullying in the days leading up to her death.
Lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, who is representing one of the children involved in the case, told reporters that two pupils gave evidence stating they had heard Zara pose troubling hypothetical questions about self-harm.
“Two witnesses testified that Zara had, on more than 10 occasions, said things like: ‘If I jump from here, would anyone still love me… or what would it feel like?’” Azhier said during a media briefing.
He added that although the Coroner’s Court has yet to formally verify the authorship of a diary said to belong to Zara, a second witness recognised the handwriting in the notebook shown to her.
“In the diary, the writer expressed feelings such as, ‘Ya Allah, why am I hated?’ and ‘Why am I not liked?’ When asked if Zara had ever said those things out loud, the witnesses confirmed that she had.”
Azhier also disclosed that the first witness had mentioned an incident of tension between Zara and her mother two days before the teen was found unconscious at her school in Sipitang.
The witness, who had stayed over at Zara’s home, said both girls were dropped off at school by Zara’s mother on 13 July.
“There was an episode in which Zara was scolded by her mother. The witness recalled that Zara appeared reluctant when shaking her mother’s hand upon arrival at school, suggesting a lack of sincerity.”
Azhier stressed that no conclusions should yet be drawn regarding the cause of Zara’s death, as many more witnesses are scheduled to testify.
The inquest resumes tomorrow with two additional child witnesses expected to take the stand.
Further testimony from the third child witness painted a troubling picture of Zara’s treatment at school. Lawyer Joan Goh said Zara was repeatedly accused by peers of theft following a previous incident involving a missing water bottle.
“On 14, 15 and 16 July, whenever something went missing, other students would immediately suspect Zara,” Goh said. “This stemmed from an earlier case where a bottle was found in her locker.”
Datuk Ram Singh, who is also representing the children’s interests, said he was “taken aback” by testimony describing the use of abusive language among pupils.
“Ms Goh had asked whether this behaviour was normalised in the school, whether it came from the school environment, or who may have taught them such language. The witness’s responses were fairly consistent,” he noted.
Summarising the testimony of the three witnesses, Azhier said Zara had once been summoned to explain the disappearance of a student’s belongings. During the process, another unrelated incident unfolded in a neighbouring dormitory.
“Without instructions from senior students, a group of Form One pupils began searching Zara’s bags and locker. They found a badge, believed to belong to one of the dorm leaders,” Azhier said.
One of the dorm leaders allegedly used vulgar language toward Zara during the incident, despite her denial and repeated insistence that she had not taken the badge.
“The witnesses said all students later returned to their rooms, including Zara. On the night of 15 July, they reported no unusual noises — no sounds of Zara being assaulted or dragged,” he added.
The inquest proceedings are scheduled to resume today, with two more child witnesses expected to give their testimony. - September 26, 2025
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