A teacher testified that five internal investigations into Zara Qairina’s death were not shared with police or the student’s mother to prevent speculation.
KOTA KINABALU: A disciplinary teacher testified that her school conducted five internal investigations into a student’s death but never shared the findings with police.
Nurul Syahadah Ibrahim, 38, said the reports were treated as internal records despite the school having confidence in police investigative capabilities.
The assistant head of discipline at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha testified during the inquest into 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death.
She stated the investigations were conducted on July 16, 17, and August 4, 5, and 13 this year.
Several students participated, including the five last known to have seen Zara Qairina before her death.
The findings were never formally reported to the school principal, according to her testimony.
Instead, they were referred to the assistant principal of Student Affairs.
“The principal was occupied with liaising with various parties including the District Education Office and State Education Department,” she explained.
When questioned by the family’s lawyer, she said findings weren’t disclosed to the deceased’s mother to prevent speculation.
“I had no ill intent in this matter; I am also a mother myself,” she emphasised during cross-examination.
She disagreed with suggestions that the school deliberately concealed information from Zara Qairina’s mother.
Nurul Syahadah recalled receiving a pencil case gift from Zara Qairina during Teacher’s Day celebrations.
“She had expressed interest in joining the Dakwah and Rohani Society approximately one week before the incident,” she testified.
Zara Qairina died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being found unconscious near her school hostel drain.
The Attorney General’s Chambers ordered her remains exhumed for a post-mortem on August 8.
A formal inquest into her death was announced on August 13, with proceedings scheduled to continue tomorrow.
