A witness told the Coroner’s Court she took Zara Qairina to another room to allow a surprise inspection of her belongings before the student’s death.
KOTA KINABALU: A witness testified that she escorted Zara Qairina Mahathir to another room to permit an inspection of the deceased’s wardrobe and personal items on July 15.
The 29th witness, a student from SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, gave this testimony on the 33rd day of the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.
Lawyer Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, representing Zara Qairina’s mother, said the witness acted after dormitory students decided to conduct a surprise check following missing money, flag pins, and clothing.
He stated the witness left Zara Qairina with junior students in another room before returning to the dormitory to perform the spot check.
The witness also requested the junior students keep Zara Qairina occupied to conduct the inspection without her knowledge.
“The witness said she found a senior student’s flag pin in Zara Qairina’s bag and another junior’s pin in her trouser pocket during the check,” Mohd Syarulnizam told reporters.
“She then handed the flag pin to the senior student.”
After the inspection, the witness went to another room where she saw several senior students gathered around Zara Qairina but did not intervene.
The witness proceeded downstairs to iron her clothes.
Upon finishing, she found Zara Qairina had returned to her room crying and shouting “Aku nda curi ba” (I did not steal) in distress.
“The witness said nobody dared comfort Zara Qairina at that time, including herself, as they feared approaching the deceased when angry,” the lawyer added.
The witness confirmed she never saw Zara Qairina physically bullied but acknowledged an atmosphere of ridicule and sarcasm from some students toward the deceased.
Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory on July 16.
The inquest proceedings will continue tomorrow. – Bernama
