Zara’s mother was ‘adamant’ in refusing post-mortem, investigating officer tells inquest

 

Photo shows the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex.

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 13): The investigating officer for Zara Qairina Mahathir’s case told the Coroner’s Court here that her mother was allegedly “adamant” (berkeras) in refusing a postmortem.

Insp Wong Yew Zhung testified before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that Noraidah Lamat had twice refused a postmortem on Zara’s remains.

In his witness statement, the 83rd deponent stated: “Ibu Zara menjawab, ‘Tidak mahu’ dan enggan untuk bedah siasat dijalankan ke atas Zara (Zara’s mother answered “Don’t want” and refused for a postmortem to be carried out on Zara’s remains).

The witness further claimed that he explained the same thing to Noraidah again.

“Ibu Zara tetap berkeras menjawab: ‘Tidak mahu. Saya mahu kebumikan dia dengan segera” (Zara’s mother remained adamant and answered, “I don’t want. I want her to be buried immediately”).

The witness also claimed that when he was at the Neurology Ward, he did explain that a postmortem needed to be conducted on Zara’s remains to facilitate the investigation into this case.

When testifying on Oct 8, Noraidah had said she signed a form rejecting a postmortem on Zara’s remains without being informed of the importance of conducting the procedure.

Noraidah also testified that she signed the form because the family was in a state of panic and deep grief.

According to her, they wanted Zara’s remains to be managed as soon as possible because they were thinking about the three-hour journey to Sipitang from Kota Kinabalu.

Noraidah completed her oral testimony on Oct 12 and her legal team told the court that as of now there is no intention to recall her as a witness.

The inquest will resume on Oct 14. - borneopost