KOTA KINABALU: The first child witness has started giving testimony at the Coroner’s Court here in the ongoing inquest of Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death.
It is learnt that the student’s testimony started at around 10am.
There are no media personnel allowed on the floor where the student is giving testimony in camera, as per the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 (ECWA).
Under this Act, any publication of a child witness’ identity is strictly prohibited.
It also forbids the disclosure of any identifying information in mass media or electronic platforms.
While the ECWA facilitates child witnesses in giving evidence and ensures their welfare, it does not permit their testimony to be made public.
Instead, it sets out rules on how such evidence is collected and presented in court.
The first child witness was supposed to testify last Friday (Sept 19) but Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan postponed the scheduled proceeding when information on the child witnesses were leaked online.
He warned the public not to leak any documents so as to not disrupt the ongoing inquest.
Some 35 child witnesses are expected to testify throughout this inquest and each would be placed in separate rooms accompanied by a court interpreter and a guardian at each time.
So far, about eight adult deponents have testified in the proceedings, while another 25 adults are expected to do so.
Zara, a 13-year-old student, was first found unconscious below her school hostel building in Papar on July 16, and died a day later.
Calls for an inquest came when the public including family members felt that her case was not just a simple fall, and wanted authorities to get to the bottom of this case.
It also sparked nationwide peaceful rallies and solidarity gatherings calling for Justice for Zara.
