A STUDENT alleged to be involved in the school bullying case linked to the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir gave testimony in a closed-door session at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court on Monday.
The testimony, heard before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, began at 10am and concluded at 4.45pm. The proceedings were conducted in camera to protect the identity of the underage witness, in accordance with the Child Witness Evidence Act 2017, which prohibits the publication of any identifying details of a child witness.
The inquest officer, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari, and the witness’ lawyer, Datuk Ram Singh, confirmed the session took place.
The student had been scheduled to testify last Friday but the court postponed the hearing after parts of the witness’ statement were allegedly leaked and circulated on social media. The child witness is expected to continue testifying on Tuesday.
A total of 35 child witnesses are expected to be called in the inquest. So far, eight adult witnesses have given statements, with 25 more scheduled to appear in upcoming sessions.
Zara Qairina, a Form One student, was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at 4am on 16 July and later pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, on 17 July.
Following a review of the police investigation, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) directed that an inquest be held on 13 August. This came days after the AGC issued an order on 8 August for Zara’s grave to be exhumed for a post-mortem examination. - September 22, 2025
