Students Last Saw Zara Qairina Crying After Being Accused Of Stealing Flag Pin Inquest Hears

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According to head warden Azhari Abdul Sagap, written statements from students said Zara Qairina was confronted by those from a neighbouring dorm over allegedly stolen items, which she denied. — Bernama picKOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — The Coroner’s Court was told today that 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir was last seen by other students in distress after being accused of stealing.
According to head warden Azhari Abdul Sagap, written statements from students said Zara Qairina was confronted by those from a neighbouring dorm over allegedly stolen items, which she denied.
Azhari testified that during the confrontation, some students were said to have searched her bag and locker and claimed to have found a Malaysian flag pin belonging to the dormitory leader.
“They confronted her and she swore that she did not [steal]. That’s when some harsh words were uttered by Zara’s dorm leader. That’s what the students said. That’s all that was written,” said Azhari.
“From the investigation, she left the room crying and screamed ‘I did not steal, stupid’ as she went to the toilet.”
“That’s the last she was seen, at the toilet, before she was found on the ground floor,” he added.
Azhari is the eighth witness called in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.
She was found unconscious in a drain beside her hostel at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar in the early hours of July 16. 
She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day after succumbing to her injuries.
Azhari told the Coroner’s Court that an internal investigation was conducted on July 16 by a “disciplinary unit,” which resulted in five written statements from students.
Shahlan: Do you still have these written confessions?
Azhari: I no longer have them, but I surrendered them to Inspector Wong on July 16.
Shahlan: What did they say?
Azhari: They said a Form One student reported missing belongings and Zara was called to the dorm leader for a confrontation. She swore she did not take anything. Meanwhile, some students opened her locker and bag looking for the stolen items. They found a Malaysian flag pin belonging to Zara’s dorm leader. The dorm leader then went to confront her. Zara again denied it.
Shahlan: What else?
Azhari: They said Zara left the room crying, shouting, “Saya tidak mencuri bah, bodoh” (“I didn’t steal, stupid”), before running to the toilet. That was the last time she was seen before being found below the hostel.
Shahlan: What were the accusations?
Azhari: I recall the accusations were about money, an IC and a bank card. A wallet was missing, but it was found. No money or IC was discovered in Zara’s locker or bag.
Shahlan: So when Zara swore she didn’t steal the wallet, she was telling the truth?
Azhari: Based on the confessions, yes. Only the wallet was found. No money or IC was found.
Shahlan: Based on your opinion, can action such as this be taken by the dorm leader and other seniors — bolehkan buat begini?
Azhari: They should have reported it to the warden.
Shahlan: Was any report made?
Azhari: No. 
- malaymail

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