A dorm mate testified Zara Qairina was crying after being accused of theft and meeting a senior, the inquest into her death heard.
KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court heard that Zara Qairina Mahathir appeared emotional after returning from a senior’s dormitory room on the night of July 15.
This testimony was given by the 27th witness, a dormitory mate of Zara Qairina at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar.
Lawyer Joan Goh, representing one of the students involved, shared that the witness recounted someone from the adjacent room calling for Zara Qairina to come to room A3-6.
The witness later learned Zara Qairina had been accused of stealing a student’s bank card and was called to meet a Form Four senior.
When Zara Qairina returned to her own room around 11 pm, the witness saw her lying on the floor and crying in front of her cupboard.
Goh stated it was the first time the witness had seen Zara Qairina in such a distressed state.
The Form One student had never previously complained about personal problems, study pressure, or harassment from other students.
The witness also said Zara Qairina often wrote in her purple and green diary about her aspirations.
She specifically wrote about her desire to become a member of BADAR, the school’s surau supervisory body.
The witness had no conflict with Zara Qairina and was among students who checked her locker.
During that spot check, the witness found the missing flag pin inside Zara Qairina’s locker.
Zara Qairina, aged 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17.
She had been found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at 4 am on July 16.
The inquest proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan will continue on November 5. – Bernama
