Pathologist to resume testimony in inquest into Zara Qairina's death

FORENSIC pathologist from Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE), Dr Jessie Hiu, is scheduled to resume her testimony this morning in the coroner’s court, as the second day of the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir gets underway.

During today’s proceedings, Dr Hiu is expected to respond to questions posed by the Conducting Officer from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), as well as cross-examination from the legal representatives of the deceased’s parents and other parties with vested interest.

Zara Qairina’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, 45, is represented by lawyers Shahlan Jufri and Rizwandean M Borhan, alongside Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasser.

Her father, Mahathir Hashim @ Marikin, 44, is represented by counsel Sherzali Asli and co-counsels Nurul Rafeeqa Afdul Mutolip and Clarice Vyonne Conrad.

Legal representatives of five teenage defendants currently facing bullying charges in the Juvenile Court are also expected to question the witness. One of the accused is represented by Datuk Ram Singh, Joan Goh, and Prem Elmer Ganasan, while the remaining four are represented by Azhier Farhan Arisin and Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah.

Ram Singh's legal team was also seen bringing in a mannequin that was almost the same height as a child to the court.

The team, which represents child witnesses in the inquest, brought the mannequin after proposing it to the coroner yesterday, to assist in the clarification of the first witness's testimony today.

During yesterday’s session, Dr Hiu testified that the injuries sustained by Zara Qairina were “consistent with a fall from a height” following a post-mortem examination.

She also told the court that it was highly unlikely that Zara had either fallen accidentally or was pushed from the third-floor corridor of her school hostel during the early hours of 16 July.

Her conclusion was based on a site visit and comparative analysis of the victim’s height and the concrete railing of the corridor, which she said would not have allowed for a fall—accidental or otherwise—without considerable force or external involvement.

Monday’s proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan lasted approximately three hours, beginning at 2pm.

Today’s hearing is expected to continue with further explanation from Dr Hiu on the nature of the injuries and forensic findings from the autopsy conducted on the late Zara Qairina. - Sept 4, 2025