The coroner’s court today heard that the five students who last met 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir and allegedly used abusive words toward her were only issued verbal warnings and referred to counselling teachers.
Muliati Alihuddin, 42, secretary of the disciplinary unit at SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, testified that no demerit points were given because Zara’s death is still under police investigation and now the subject of an inquest.
Muliati, the inquest’s 56th witness, was responding to questions from lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who represents Zara’s mother. She confirmed that although the five students breached school rules by holding an unauthorised meeting and using offensive language, no formal disciplinary action was taken.
She added that in a separate bullying case in September—where a male student was allegedly slapped and kicked—two boys were suspended for a week and later referred to counselling because the incident involved physical aggression. In comparison, she said, Zara’s case did not involve physical contact.
Muliati also told the court that Zara’s family declined a post-mortem as they wanted to expedite the burial. She said she overheard the conversation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, the day Zara’s body was brought in.
“I heard that Zara’s mother had already contacted a hearse service,” she said, adding that she first came to know Zara earlier in March when handling a sexual harassment complaint filed by the girl.
Zara was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The inquest continues tomorrow.
