Zara Qairina inquest: Forensic psychiatrist recalled next week

A FORENSIC psychiatrist and a police officer will be recalled to continue their statements in the inquest into the death of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir next week.

Lawyer Shahlan Jufri said that Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Chua Sze Hung is expected to give a statement again.

Shahlan, who led the legal team representing Zara Qairina's mother, Noraidah Lamat, said they would question the 67th witness on Monday after his party postponed questions when the expert testified last month.

Dr Chua had previously testified before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that Zara Qairina's death was more consistent with suicide and was likely triggered by a confrontation with a peer that caused the 13-year-old to become depressed before her death, reported Berita Harian.

On July 16 last year, the student was found unconscious on the ground floor of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha. She was confirmed dead the next day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, here.

Shahlan also said that the 70th witness, Assistant Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Abu Hassan, who conducted a forensic analysis of 15 mobile phones related to the case, would continue his testimony.

Mohd Zaidi had previously presented the contents of his analysis, including WhatsApp conversations, videos and audio recordings.

Meanwhile, Shahlan said that his team had prepared three witnesses for the week-long inquest proceedings.

"Among them is a child witness who is also a family member of Zara's mother," he said.

On the last day of the inquest proceedings last month, Shahlan's team informed the Coroner's Court that about 10 to 11 witnesses were expected to be called to give evidence.

Among the witnesses cited were document examiner Dr Linthini Gannetion, handwriting and document experts Dr Tay Eue Kam and Dr Dzulkiflee Ismail, as well as forensic scientist Dr Wan Nur Syuhaila Mat Desa.

Other experts expected to testify include child psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli and psychiatrist Dr Wong Haw Huo.

The inquest into Zara Qairina began on September 3 after her body was exhumed and a post-mortem was conducted. – May 16, 2026