A DISCIPLINE teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha has acknowledged the existence of a ragging culture among senior students during the inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Muliati Alihuddin, 42, who serves as the school’s discipline unit secretary and appeared as the 56th witness, made the admission while being questioned by Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on Wednesday.
When asked about the overall level of student discipline, Muliati explained, “Usually, the cases reported relate to mobile phones as they are prohibited.
“We have conducted surprise inspections in the dormitories. Other disciplinary issues include students missing the dawn prayer, inappropriate dress such as short headscarves, and not wearing name badges.”
Asked about the most serious incident at the school, she replied, “The most serious case was that of Zara Qairina. We had not faced any criminal cases prior to this.”
On the issue of ragging between senior and junior students, Muliati said, “Yes. Ragging usually involves male students. We have never received reports from female students about ragging. It typically involves light tasks such as fetching drinks or ironing clothes.”
Regarding disciplinary methods, the teacher confirmed that corporal punishment was no longer widely used, stating, “Previously there was, but now only the Senior Assistant for Student Affairs is allowed to administer the cane.”
When asked if she believed corporal punishment should be implemented, Muliati added, “I feel it should. There should be a delegation of authority, let us try caning… gentle methods are not effective… previously, it did not work.”
Zara Qairina was found unconscious in a drain near the school dormitory at 4 a.m. on 16 July and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 17 July.
The inquest proceedings are scheduled to continue tomorrow. - December 3, 2025
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