Zara Wanted To Take Her Own Life

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KOTA KINABALU: At the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a close friend told the Coroner’s Court that the 13-year-old had voiced suicidal thoughts repeatedly for about three months before her death.
The second child witness said Zara Qairina had raised the ­subject at least 10 times since April 2025, often phrasing it as a question to friends.
“Since April 2025, Zara Qairina frequently told me she wanted to take her own life because she was unhappy with her life. She said, ‘I am not worth living; it would be better if I died’,” the witness said.
Counsel Azhier Farhan Arisin told the court that another child witness, who was the first to ­t­estify, had made similar statements.
Two witnesses also testified that Zara Qairina had attempted suicide on two occasions.
One of the witnesses also ­identified the handwriting in a notebook as that of Zara Qairina.
Azhier said entries attributed to the writer spoke of rejection and isolation, including lines such as, “Ya Allah, why am I hated? Why am I not liked?”
Forensic experts have not yet confirmed the authorship.
The lawyer was briefing reporters about the testimony of some child witnesses after the coroner directed that the media be kept out of court to protect the children’s identities.
Earlier testimony revealed that Zara Qairina returned to the ­hostel with her mother on July 13, with a witness recalling the mother scolding her.
The inquest also heard that it was the last time they saw each other before Zara Qairina was found dead on July 15.
Counsel Joan Goh, who is ­representing a child witness named Student A, said one of the child witnesses disclosed that Zara Qairina was summoned on suspicion of stealing a purse containing RM300.
“The late Zara Qairina was summoned to the room adjacent to her dormitory because there was a theft. Witnesses ­testified that whenever there were issues of theft, she would be suspected, as a water tumbler or some ­similar item had previously been discovered in her locker,” she said.
Meanwhile, counsel Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, ­confirmed that newly seized materials related to the case will be reviewed by forensic experts next week.
Shahlan explained that the ­documents form part of 27 items taken into police custody.
Among the items is a notebook titled Love and Peace, which was handed to Noraidah. This also includes her daughter’s purse, which contained RM7.
“The plan was for the items to be unsealed and examined today by three forensic experts. However, due to technical ­difficulties, the review has been postponed,” Shahlan added.
He said that the court, ­prosecution and defence had agreed to postpone the ­examination and that forensic chemists are scheduled to assess the materials next week.
The inquest resumes today with testimony from the fourth and fifth child witnesses. - Star

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