KOTA KINABALU: Only 14 out of 68 witnesses have testified in the inquest into the death of teenager Zara Qairina Mahathir so far, and lawyers estimate that proceedings could stretch into December.
Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan noted the slow pace of the inquest and said it was about 19% complete.
He added that assessments would be made on how many more witnesses are needed, including an additional expert.
Lawyers representing Zara Qairina's family and other parties are also expected to call additional witnesses.
Lawyer Ram Singh, who represents one of the child witnesses, said that the inquest could even stretch into December.
The inquest resumes Tuesday (Sept 30) with two more witnesses scheduled before the court takes a break before continuing on Oct 7.
Zara Qairina, 13, was found unconscious on the ground floor of her hostel in Papar in the early hours of July 16.
She succumbed to a serious head injury the following day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
