Zara Qairina never prevented from connecting with dad, mother tells inquest

 

Zara Qairina Mahathir

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 7): The Coroner’s Court here heard the late Zara Qairina Mahathir’s mother never prevented Zara from communicating with or meeting her father.

Noraidah Lamat, 46, told Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that throughout the time Zara lived with her, Zara communicated with her father Mahathir Mohd Hashim via phone calls and WhatsApp.

“When Zara was about six years old (2018), Zara was already able to record voice messages and sent them herself to Mahathir on WhatsApp.

“During the Movement Control Order (2021), I provided Zara with a mobile phone, which made it easier for Mahathir to contact her at any time,” Noraidah testified.

Under examination-in-chief by counsel Shahlan Jufri, Noraidah further testified that Zara would frequently contact Mahathir to discuss her studies and other matters she wished to share and, from what Noraidah heard and knew, Mahathir treated Zara well.

She also testified that the last time Zara met Mahathir in person, apart from Mahathir’s visit to the hospital on July 16, 2025, was when Zara was in Primary 1 (October 2019) at their home, when she was seven years old and after that, Zara and Mahathir kept in touch solely through WhatsApp.

“Zara was used to Mahathir working away from Sipitang and never questioned his absence from home, as this arrangement had been normal since she was small.

“Zara never complained to me or expressed any dissatisfaction regarding Mahathir. Zara also had a good relationship with her paternal grandparents and they often came to visit her and invited her to their home, which is located in Sipitang,” said Noraidah.

She added that she and Mahathir are still legally married but living separately.- borneopost