‘Two alleged diaries of Zara found in dorm locker’

 

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 5): Two books believed to be the personal diaries of Zara Qairina Mahathir were discovered in her dormitory locker by a senior student, the Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday.

The witness testified that she volunteered to search for the alleged diaries after no other student stepped forward. She later saw a teacher read portions of the books after handing them over.

The 37th deponent, who is also witness number 28, said she was not Zara’s dormmate but volunteered to help locate the diaries.

According to a statement from the legal team representing Zara’s mother, the witness, along with several senior and junior students, gathered at the school surau (prayer room) with several teachers on July 16 around 11.15am.

“The witness heard some students tell teachers that Zara kept a diary. When teachers asked the students to help find it, none volunteered. Seeing this, the witness offered to assist,” said the counsel.

The witness and a teacher then went to Zara’s dorm block, but only the witness went upstairs to the dorm while the teacher waited below.

“Upon entering, the witness tried opening several lockers, which were locked except for one believed to belong to Zara. She recognized a shirt with Zara’s name tag hanging inside. Inside a black school bag in the locker, she found two books — a green one labeled Love & Peace and a purple one labeled Simple Style,” the counsel said.

The witness briefly flipped through the books but did not read them closely before bringing them back to the surau, where she handed them to another teacher.

“She saw the teacher read some of the diary contents in front of other students before keeping them,” the counsel added.

The witness also stated she was unaware of the purpose of the search and had no knowledge of what Zara may have written. She said she did not witness anything on the night of the alleged incident and woke up the following morning at about 4.50am to prepare for school.

The witness, a member of the student group Circle Nineteen, said she had no conflict with Zara.

Of course. Here is the edited version of the text for improved clarity, flow, and impact. The changes focus on tightening the language and strengthening the narrative.

The 29th child witness, a Form One student, testified that she initiated the search of Zara Qairina’s bag after learning Zara was being questioned about stolen items.

“In asking my friends to check Zara’s bag, I only intended to help one student find her missing bank card and another who had lost her wallet and identity card,” she said in her witness statement.

“I suspected Zara because, on about five previous occasions, missing items like flag pins and water bottles were found in her locker.”

The court also heard about a major theft incident one weekend when several students, including the witness herself and Zara, remained in the dormitory. The next morning, many reported money missing.

“When the seniors conducted a spot check, the stolen money was found in Zara’s bag,” the witness stated.

“However, Zara denied stealing it when questioned.”

The witness also recalled an instance when Zara Qairina admired a “cute” bottle left on a water dispenser.

Later that day, the witness saw Zara carrying the very same bottle she had pointed out earlier.

The inquest proceedings will resume on November 6. - borneopost