Inquest into Zara Qairina’s death begins as High Court decision sets transparency benchmark

THE inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir commenced today at the Coroner’s Court in Kota Kinabalu, in proceedings expected to serve as a benchmark for transparency in Malaysia’s judicial approach to school-related deaths.

Presided over by Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan, acting in the capacity of Coroner, the inquest is scheduled to run over 19 days on 3–4 September, 8–12 September, 17–19 September, and from 22 to 30 September. A total of 70 witnesses, including the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination on Zara, are expected to provide testimony.

The inquest is being led by Deputy Head of Prosecution II, Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad, with Deputy Public Prosecutors Nahra Dollah, Mohd Fairuz Johari, Dana Arabi Wazani, Sofia Sawayan and Dacia Jane Romanus acting as prosecuting officers.

Zara Qairina, aged 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 17 July. She had been hospitalised after being found unconscious beside a storm drain near her school hostel in Papar at approximately 4 a.m. on 16 July.

Following police investigations, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) announced on 13 August that an inquest would be held. Earlier, on 8 August, the AGC also ordered the exhumation of Zara’s body to facilitate a full post-mortem examination.

The inquest takes on heightened significance following a ruling by the Kota Kinabalu High Court which overturned an earlier decision allowing legal representation for five students as interested parties. The court’s decision is expected to shape the inquest's direction, with legal observers viewing it as a measure to maintain the integrity of the proceedings by focusing solely on the circumstances of Zara’s death, free from the influence of potentially conflicted parties.

“Inquests are not criminal trials to determine guilt but processes to uncover the facts surrounding a death,” the court ruling underscores.

Nevertheless, the High Court has directed that the application for party status may be resubmitted before the newly appointed coroner, potentially opening the door for a different judicial interpretation.

For the family of the late Zara Qairina, the decision brings some relief by reducing the likelihood of conflict of interest, allowing the proceedings to concentrate on uncovering the truth behind her tragic death.

More broadly, the court’s approach may set a precedent in how the judiciary balances the rights of interested parties with the wider public interest in high-profile cases involving student welfare and school safety.

While the ruling is far from a conclusion, it represents a pivotal moment in ensuring that the inquest remains a transparent and focused inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Zara Qairina’s death, amid growing calls for accountability and justice in Malaysia’s educational institutions. - Sept 3, 2025