Zara Was Labelled Problematic By Peers Says Witness

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The Form 5 student testifies that Zara Qairina Mahathir was disliked by some students at her school hostel.
A witness told the coroner’s court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, today that she found Zara Qairina Mahathir to be a cheerful person who never had problems with anyone. (Facebook pic)PETALING JAYA: The late Zara Qairina Mahathir was labelled “a problematic student” by other boarders at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, a witness told the coroner’s court in Kota Kinabalu today
The 16th witness, a Form 5 student, testified before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that Zara was disliked by some students at the hostel.
“If I asked which Zara they were referring to, they would say, ‘the problematic one’. I also asked what kind of problems they meant, and they replied, ‘stealing’.
“But in my opinion, Zara was not a problematic student. I never scolded or reprimanded her,” the witness said during her testimony, Berita Harian reported.
The witness also told the court that she found Zara to be a cheerful person who never had problems with anyone.
However, the witness said they had heard rumours suggesting that the 13-year-old fancied someone of the same gender.
“I didn’t think much of it because Zara, who was in Form 1 at the time, was still very young.
“As for the claim about her liking someone of the same gender, perhaps she simply admired that person as a role model. But I don’t know who that person was,” the witness said.
The witness also recounted an experience from when she was in Form 3, when senior students had asked for help ironing their uniforms.
“Based on my observation, senior students at the hostel tend to scold and curse at juniors when they get angry.
“That’s the kind of language I often hear. They set a bad example for the juniors. I had advised them before, but they still behaved the same way.
“Our religious teacher once reminded everyone to mind their language and speak politely, as junior students tend to imitate their seniors,” the witness added.
The inquest will resume next Tuesday. - FMT

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