Zara inquest: Student A’s mother in tears, says daughter still called ‘murderer’ at new school

 

KOTA KINABALU: The mother of Student A says her daughter continues to face pressure and accusations, even after transferring to a new school following the incident involving the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Student A’s mother, the 62nd witness in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, told the court that there are still students at the new school who call her daughter a “murderer”, according to Sinar Harian.

"The first incident happened when my daughter was in class. She had only registered at the new school a few days earlier. A student turned to her, made a face, and called her a murderer.

"The second incident happened when she went on stage to receive a prize for winning first place. Several students her age shouted ‘murderer’. My daughter did not hear them, but those around her did, and her friends later told her about it," she said while giving evidence at the Coroner’s Court here on Monday (Feb 2).

Earlier, the witness had been responding to questions from lawyer Joan Goh, who represents Student A in the inquest.

Witnesses who had prepared written statements were also asked to read them in court.

While reading her written statement, the witness appeared in tears as she described how her daughter had been called a “murderer” throughout the period following Zara Qairina’s death in July last year.

She paused several times, sobbing before she was able to continue.

In her statement, the witness also said that her family faced intense pressure from netizens after the incident involving Zara Qairina.

She claimed that people had even gone so far as to track her children’s identities and movements.

Before concluding her testimony, the witness again broke down in tears, saying her daughter continues to be subjected to accusations.

Earlier, lawyer Joan Goh, together with her colleagues Datuk Ram Singh and Prem Elmer Ganasan, were present as interested parties in the inquest. - Star