KOTA KINABALU: A witness told the Coroner's Court on Thursday (Nov 6) that she took Zara Qairina Mahathir to another room to permit an inspection of the deceased's wardrobe and belongings on the night of July 15.
The testimony was given by the 29th witness, a student of SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, during the 33rd day of the inquest into Zara Qairina's death before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
Lawyer Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, representing Zara Qairina's mother, shared that the witness acted after other dormitory students decided to conduct a surprise inspection following the loss of money, flag pins, and clothes in the dormitory.
He stated that once Zara Qairina was in another room, the witness left her there with junior students and returned to Zara Qairina's dorm room. The witness asked the junior students to keep Zara Qairina occupied to conduct a spot check without her knowledge.
"The witness said that when she checked Zara Qairina's bag, she found a flag pin belonging to a senior student and another flag pin in Zara Qairina's trouser pocket belonging to a junior student. The witness then handed the flag pin to the senior student," the lawyer said after the proceedings.
Mohd Syarulnizam noted that after the spot check, the witness saw several senior students gathered around Zara Qairina but did not intervene and went downstairs to iron her clothes. Afterward, she found Zara Qairina crying and shouting "Aku nda curi ba" (I did not steal) in distress.
"The witness said no one dared to comfort Zara Qairina, including herself, as she was afraid to approach the deceased when she was angry.
"The witness also mentioned that she never saw Zara Qairina being physically bullied but admitted there was an atmosphere of ridicule and sarcasm among some senior and junior students towards the deceased," he said.
Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at about 4am on July 16.
The inquest proceedings will continue Friday (Nov 7). – Bernama
