The inquest into the death of Form One student, Zara Qairina Mahathir, will enter its second week at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court beginning September 8. The proceedings, scheduled over 19 days until September 30, are being presided over by Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan, acting as coroner.
During this phase, the spotlight will be on testimony from a chemist tasked with verifying several critical documents, including Zara Qairina’s personal diary. Lawyer Joan Goh also confirmed that the week’s hearings will include a locus in quo session—a site visit to the location of the incident—to give the court a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding Zara’s death.
“This development is vital, as it is expected to shed light on the events leading up to and following the tragedy,” she said.
A total of 70 witnesses, including the pathologist who conducted Zara’s autopsy, are set to testify throughout the inquest. Last week, forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu took the stand as the first witness.
The proceedings are being led by Deputy Head of Prosecution II, Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad, along with Deputy Public Prosecutors Nahra Dollah, Mohd Fairuz Johari, Dana Arabi Wazani, Sofia Sawayan, and Dacia Jane Romanus.
Zara Qairina, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious near her school dormitory in Papar at around 4am.
Following police investigations, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) ordered an inquest on August 13, stating the case required judicial scrutiny. On August 8, the AGC had also directed that Zara’s grave be exhumed to allow a post-mortem examination of her remains.
The inquest will determine the exact cause of Zara’s death and whether foul play was involved.
