Zara Not Touched Unharmed In School Dorm Meeting Inquest Hears

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The sixth child witness in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir told the Coroner's Court that she did not notice any physical contact or injury to the student during a dormitory meeting convened over purse theft allegations.
Following today’s proceedings, counsel for one of the teenagers charged in Zara’s bullying case, Ram Singh, shared that the witness confirmed that the meeting took place on July 15 at approximately 10.20pm, the night before the Form One student was found unconscious at the hostel grounds.
According to the witness, she overheard a conversation concerning the theft allegations between Zara and a senior student, but it was not clear due to their distance, he said.
"The witness also stated that she saw four more senior students enter the room. After that, she heard someone speaking in a loud tone, as if scolding Zara, but the witness was unsure who was speaking at that time.
“Around 11pm, Zara left the room crying. This was the last time the witness saw her that evening,” said Ram, adding that the witness also confirmed she did not hear any altercations between 11pm and 3am from July 15 to 16.
The sixth witness also provided clarification on the term “MA”, testifying that it refers to “Mesyuarat Asrama” (Dormitory Meeting); however, she said the meeting between the senior students and Zara on the night of July 15 was not an “MA”.
Clearing the air
Counsel Azhier Farhan Arisin, who represents four of the accused, briefed the press on the testimony of the fifth witness, another schoolmate, who confirmed that the group “Circle-19” was not a gang.
He said the witness described “Circle-19” as a group of students who collaborated on school activities and were not involved in dormitory gangsterism.
SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar"The witness further stated that the ‘Circle-19’ group was not involved in the meeting with Zara and did not participate in surrounding her on the night of July 15.
“I also asked whether the group was directly involved in the deceased's death, to which the witness answered 'no'," said Azhier.
Counsel Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara's mother, said that the witness informed the court that it was a common practice among the boarding students for seniors to scold or harshly reprimand others.
“According to the witness, junior students are expected to undergo such experiences because the seniors themselves had gone through it,” he said.
Zara has also been described as a cheerful and friendly individual who did not exhibit any signs of mental distress or emotional pressure before the incident, Shahlan added.
Both witnesses have concluded their testimonies, and the proceedings before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan will resume tomorrow.
Queen Elizabeth HospitalZara died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was buried at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Sipitang the same day.
She was admitted to the hospital a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4am.
On Aug 8, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered her remains to be exhumed for a post-mortem, before announcing an inquest into her death on Aug 13.
- Bernama

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