The Coroner’s Court today granted the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, Noraidah Lamat, and her legal team the status of interested parties throughout the inquest into the death of the Form One student.
The decision was delivered by Coroner Azreena Aziz, who also serves as the State Court Director. She confirmed that the inquest, set to begin on 3 September, will be presided over by a new coroner.
With this status, Noraidah and her legal team, led by lawyer Hamid Ismail, are allowed access to all relevant documents, participation in proceedings to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and the ability to propose and call additional witnesses and submit documents to assist the coroner.
In addition, lawyers representing five teenagers charged in the Juvenile Court for using insulting words against Zara Qairina were also granted interested-party status in the inquest.
Previously, the late Zara Qairina’s family legal team, led by Hamid, filed an application on 19 August to declare Noraidah as an interested party in the inquest.
Zara Qairina, aged 13, was found unconscious beneath a dormitory building at a religious school in Papar on 16 July and was confirmed dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQEI). Her death attracted widespread attention, including on social media, after being linked to bullying incidents at the school.
The Coroner’s Court had previously scheduled the inquest for 3–4 September, 8–12 September, 17–19 September, and 22–30 September. These dates were set during a preliminary hearing conducted by the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), led by Mohd Fairus Johari from AGC Putrajaya, assisted by three DPPs from AGC Sabah: Dana Arabi Wazani, Afiq Agoes, and Dacia Jane Romanus.
During proceedings, Mohd Fairus informed the court that 195 witnesses had been identified for the inquest. However, he noted that the list would be reviewed, and an updated list would be submitted before the inquest begins on 3 September.
The AGC confirmed that the inquest aims to determine the cause and circumstances of Zara Qairina’s death, including whether any criminal elements were involved, following a request by the Sabah State Director of Prosecution under subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593).
