Chief Warden breaks down, denies protecting Zara Qairina's bully, killer

KOTA KINABALU - The inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir at the Coroner’s Court here today turned emotional when a witness broke down while expressing his sadness over criticism from netizens who accused him and the school of remaining silent and protecting the student’s alleged bully or killer.

Chief Warden of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, could not hold back his tears as he addressed the allegations on the ninth day of proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

Testifying as the eighth witness, Azhari stressed that neither he nor the school had ever protected anyone, but had instead given full cooperation to the authorities by handing over all evidence and statements related to the case.

"If we had intended to protect Zara Qairina’s bully or killer, I would not have told the police officer about the alleged theft incident that occurred on the night of July 15. I informed the officer before Zara Qairina’s mother lodged her second police report.

"I personally liaised with the police. Whatever the police asked for, whoever they wanted brought to Papar, I complied, including handing over the audio recording of ‘Kak M’. I was also the one who told the police the identity of ‘Kak M’,” he said. - BERNAMA

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