Zara Qairina struggled to adjust to boarding school, psychiatrist tells inquest

 

KOTA KINABALU: Zara Qairina Mahathir experienced difficulties adjusting to secondary boarding school, particularly during her first few months there, the Coroner's Court here heard on Thursday (July 16).

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Wong Haw Huo testified that the 13-year-old faced several challenges after transitioning from primary school, including adapting to a more structured and hierarchical environment, making new friends, and navigating relationships with senior students.

Referring to a report jointly prepared with Prof Dr Aili Hanim Hashim, Dr Wong said Zara Qairina appeared to struggle with peer relationships and experienced tensions with schoolmates during her early months at the boarding school.

"There were several indicators, including rumours, accusations, mockery and ridicule, as well as allegations during April and May last year that she was involved in theft incidents.

"There appeared to be limited understanding among her peers of her vulnerabilities compared with what she had experienced in primary school. As a result, her stress gradually escalated during that period," he told the inquest into Zara Qairina's death.

Dr Wong was responding to questions from lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina's mother Noraidah Lamat, on the differences in the teenager's behaviour before and after entering boarding school.

After reviewing the available evidence, Dr Wong described Zara Qairina as a vulnerable adolescent who shared a close, loving and trusting relationship with her mother.

He said Zara Qairina had been described as cheerful, energetic, confident and sociable during her primary school years, easily building relationships with friends, peers and adults while excelling academically and in co-curricular activities.

Dr Wong also testified that there was a strong foundation of trust between Zara Qairina and her mother, supported by evidence of their frequent communication through text messages, phone conversations and audio recordings.

He said Zara Qairina remained hopeful about improving her academic performance in secondary school and was open with her mother about her struggles rather than concealing them.

"Based on the audio recordings, Zara Qairina not only shared details about her school environment but also sought her mother's advice on how to handle various situations.

"This demonstrates the openness and transparency of their communication, which was built on mutual trust," he said.

Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 last year, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel in Papar at about 4am.

The inquest before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan continues. – Bernama