First Child Witness Gives Consistent Testimony Says Counsel

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KOTA KINABALU (Sept 23): Counsel Datuk Ram Singh told reporters on Tuesday that the first child witness, who is one of the five students accused of bullying the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, had concluded her witness statement.
He described the statement provided by the first child witness as “a nice story from a child” and the witness also described her relationship with the deceased as close friends but not as BFF (best friends forever).
Ram told reporters when asked for updates on the current proceeding which was off limits to the media as it dealt with child witnesses, that the first accused (A) was able to provide good explanation and consistent answers.
“So far, I think it is okay,” he said.
Counsel Joan Goh, who conducted the questioning on Tuesday, provided further updates, adding the counsels for Zara’s mother and father had concluded their questioning.
Goh said that their focus in their questioning was what transpired on 4 July 2025 onwards because the accused spent a night at Zara’s house.
“She testified on that, and some of the issues, what happened during school time, and there were issues on bullying and she explained in detail,” said Goh who did not divulge further information.
Goh added that they adjourned for lunch because they could see the witness was also tired.
“We expect that by today, towards late afternoon, the second child witness will likely start,” she said.
The second child witness is not one of the five accused, but a witness in the 28 list, said Ram.
Ram also commended the first child witness, describing her as “Buli tahan, steady, walaupun dua hari.”
He said that even adults may find it difficult to maintain their composure.
“What is good is she told the truth. What she knew she said she knows, what she didn’t know she said she didn’t know,” said Ram.
Goh interjected, describing situations when two to three lawyers posed questions with the same facts but different style of questioning, but in spite of that, the first child witness, who is also one of the five accused, provided consistent answers.
When the Coroner’s Court adjourned for the day, Ram was again met by reporters where he informed that
A had been released and she looked tired after two days of giving her statement.
He said that from A’s testimonies, they were able to get some information on what she saw, what she heard, what she felt and experienced.
“So it was a good one, the two days of questioning. We met her at the witness room and from the expression of her face, she looked tired, and also shocked … we don’t want to reveal more,” he said.
He added that they concluded with the first child witness at around 3.30pm and took a break before calling in the second child witness around 4pm.
He said he expected that the session with the second child witness, whom he described is also quite an important one, would probably take an entire day on Wednesday. - borneopost

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