KOTA KINABALU: A senior student, who was the first to find Zara Qairina Mahathir on the morning of July 16, told the Coroner's Court that her daily routine involves waking early to do laundry and collect water before dawn prayers.
The 15th child witness, a student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, testified on the 24th day of the inquest into Zara Qairina's death before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
According to a summary of her testimony provided by lawyer Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, representing Zara Qairina's mother, the witness sets an alarm for 3am daily. On the morning of the incident, she heard a sound like something falling but was unsure of its source as she was still drowsy.
"The witness said students are usually asleep at 3am, though some do wake up early. She also told the court that she did not know Zara Qairina personally and had never spoken to her," said Mohd Syarulnizam when briefing reporters after the proceedings.
Meanwhile, lawyer Joan Goh, representing a student in Zara Qairina's bullying case, noted that the witness testified she woke early to avoid queues for the washing machine.
The witness further testified that while going downstairs to use the washing machine, she saw a student lying unconscious across a drain but received no response when she called out to her.
"The witness said she did not see any other students on the ground floor at the time. She then immediately went to the guard post to seek help from the hostel security guard, Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha," Goh said.
In September, Linah testified that the senior student reported finding the victim while she was on duty that night. The student explained she had woken early to wash clothes.
Linah confirmed that the senior student was the first person to find the teenager unconscious on July 16.
Goh added that during the proceedings, the witness also said she did not know Zara Qairina personally and was unaware of any conflicts or bullying involving the victim.
Meanwhile, lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, representing four teenagers in the bullying case, summarised the 16th child witness's testimony. He said the witness had no knowledge of the victim being summoned by a senior prior to being found unconscious.
The witness testified that she would not necessarily be informed if a senior met with a junior, despite her role as a hostel prefect. She described a pattern where seniors frequently summoned juniors to reprimand them, often using harsh language.
The witness said she had personally advised against this behaviour and noted that an ustazah at the school had counselled the seniors to communicate respectfully.
She further revealed that hostel wardens had previously shown a lack of diligence, failing to conduct dormitory inspections. It was only after the incident that wardens began patrolling every floor. The inquest will resume on Tuesday (Oct 21).
Zara Qairina, 13, died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being admitted a day earlier after being found unconscious across a drain near her school hostel in Papar at 4am.
The Attorney General's Chambers ordered her remains exhumed for a post-mortem on Aug 8, before announcing a formal inquest into her death on Aug 13. – Bernama
