Child witness describes Zara as cheerful and kind

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 13): The 11th child witness in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir described the deceased as a good, cheerful and friendly student who often greeted others, such as saying “Assalamualaikum, Kak” to senior students.

The witness, who is also the 20th deponent and a senior from the same school and dormitory floor, said Zara often shared her food with others.

According to the legal team representing Noraidah Lamat, Zara’s mother, the witness told the Coroner’s Court on Monday that it was common for a group of senior students known as Circle 19 to personally approach and question junior students suspected of theft in the dormitory.

The witness said Circle 19 would usually summon juniors as a group for questioning, and that such incidents had occurred several times. She added that every batch in the school had its own “circle” of students, and Circle 19 was the largest in her batch, with an identified leader.

While she had never participated in the group, the witness said it was not customary for seniors to rummage through juniors’ lockers or to use foul language. She believed that any theft cases should be reported to teachers instead.

She said Zara had been summoned several times before 15 July 2025 and appeared sad, disappointed and stressed afterward. The witness had met Zara in her dormitory two or three times to apologise on behalf of the Circle 19 seniors and had also comforted her because she had experienced similar treatment as a junior.

The witness said Zara was close to a senior student who was a member of Badar (religious student body), describing the senior as a good and disciplined person. Zara had also expressed an interest in joining Badar.

On the night of 15 July 2025, between 10pm and 11pm, the witness learned that Zara had been summoned by several senior students over a missing bank card and flag pin.

She said many students in the dormitory were aware of the incident and discussing it. When she passed by the dormitory room, she heard a junior shouting profanities, including “That’s what happens, stealing again! Pukimak anjing!” in a loud and angry tone.

The witness was later told that juniors were rummaging through Zara’s belongings and that Zara had locked herself in the toilet that night.

At around 3.50am, she was awakened by a friend who said a student had been found unconscious. The student was later identified as Zara, who was carried to the end of the dormitory while waiting for an ambulance.

The witness said she did not witness any assault on Zara and only learned of the events from others.

The inquest will resume on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Forensic Document Examination Team continues their second day of analysis, expected to conclude on the same date.