Coroner’s Court told Zara not pushed, no foul play involved in death

 

Zara Qairina Mahathir

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 14): The investigating officer of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir’s case told the Coroner’s Court here that his probe had determined she had not been pushed and that no murder was involved.

Insp Wong Yew Zhung told Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that his investigations found no element of foul play in Zara’s death.

Questioned by counsel Joan Goh on the possibility that Zara’s death was accidental, the witness said the matter should be referred to an expert.

He also confirmed that during the course of his investigation, in which he had interviewed 200 people, he had investigated Zara’s family background and her relationship with her family members.

Goh: Based on your investigation, was there anyone who might have a motive to forge Zara’s handwriting in the diary and 15 pieces of papers that were tendered to you as per your statement?

Wong: There is no interest for someone to do that.

The 83rd deponent and final witness of the inquest also testified that photos, audio recordings between Zara and her mother, as well as the clothes last worn by Zara, were not evidence that could aid his investigation.

He said checks conducted on several mobile phones seized as part of the investigation found only ordinary photos and audio recordings.

Meanwhile, under oral examination by counsel Shahlan Jufri, the witness said he could only investigate Zara’s character through statements provided by her mother and friends.

As for the clothes worn by Zara when she was found under her dormitory building, Wong clarified there was no need for the clothes to be seized as they had no impact on his investigation.

To another question from Shahlan, the witness testified that only one senior scolded Zara during the intense confrontation at the dormitory between her and several seniors.

On the treatment Zara received during the confrontation, Wong said there were differing accounts.

“I recall that some witnesses said Zara was crying, while others said she was not.”

Nevertheless, he said he found that Zara had been crying at that time after she was accused of stealing.

On July 16, 2025, 13-year-old Zara was found unconscious below her hostel building and was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day.

Her remains were exhumed on Aug 9, 2025 and a post-mortem examination was conducted at the hospital on Aug 10.

On Aug 20, 2025, five minors, given the pseudonyms Students A, B, C, D, and E, were charged in the Court for Children with insulting Zara. - borneopost