The coroner’s court will decide if Dr Noor Aishah Rosli can continue as an expert witness in the Zara Qairina death inquest over registration issues.
KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court here will decide whether Dr Noor Aishah Rosli qualifies as an expert witness in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, including whether she may continue giving evidence.
The issue arose after the 51-year-old, who prepared Zara Qairina’s psychological autopsy report as a child clinical psychologist, was found not to be registered under the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774).
Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan directed all parties to submit written arguments before he makes a ruling on the matter.
“I want all interested parties to submit written arguments on this issue. I will consider them before making the appropriate decision,” he said before adjourning today’s proceedings.
Earlier, conducting officer Nahra Dollah objected to Noor Aishah’s testimony, arguing that she was not registered as a child clinical psychologist under Act 774 and therefore could not be recognised as an expert witness.
Citing Section 33(1)(c) of the Act, Nahra said a person cannot hold themselves out as an expert unless they are registered under the legislation.
Lawyer Clarice Vyonne Conrad, representing Zara Qairina’s father, supported the objection, saying the provision clearly requires child clinical psychologists to be registered under the Act.
However, lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina’s mother, argued that the court should determine whether Noor Aishah qualified as an expert and that she should be allowed to continue giving evidence pending that decision.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court was told that Noor Aishah is registered only with the Malaysian Board of Counsellors, although she holds academic and clinical qualifications in child clinical psychology and prepared Zara Qairina’s psychological autopsy report.
Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17, 2025, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel at about 4 am.
The inquest continues tomorrow.
