Chief Warden Questions Silence Of Zara Qairina's Mother Despite Daughter's Complaints

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 18  (Bernama) -- The Chief Warden of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha’s dormitory in Papar today questioned the actions of Zara Qairina’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, who allegedly remained silent despite claims that her daughter had complained about problems at the hostel.

Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, who is also the Arabic teacher at the school, raised the matter while testifying as the eighth witness on the ninth day of the inquest proceedings into the death of the Form One student before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

“The story about ‘Kak M’ started last May, based on the school’s investigation. My question is, why didn’t Zara Qairina’s mother lodge any report with the school?

“I was deeply affected by the student’s passing, which is why I sought to find out everything. If Zara Qairina herself did not complain, there should at least have been a complaint from her mother. But there was none,” he said in a disappointed tone.

Responding to questions from lawyer Abdul Fikry Jaafar, representing four minors in the bullying case, Azhari said the victim’s mother had also never raised any bullying allegations with him when they met at the hospital’s emergency unit.

“Yes, there was none. We only became aware of the bullying after the victim’s mother posted about it on TikTok,” he said.

Visibly emotional, Azhari expressed his sorrow as he personally knew Zara Qairina as his student. He also recalled a moment during an Arabic class attended by the victim.

“I taught Zara Qairina… I once told her in class, if you (the female students) refuse to cover your private parts properly or refuse to wear hand socks, you might as well throw stones at your father.

“After that, Zara Qairina started wearing hand socks. I still remember the white pair she wore. I don’t know what she truly went through. I, too, am searching for answers and want to seek justice,” he said.

Zara Qairina,  who was in Tingkatan 1 Fatimah, stayed at Asrama Qurratu Ayun, which is on the third floor of the Rabiatul Adawiyah Block, together with 11 other students. The dormitory is under Azhari’s supervision.

Zara Qairina, 13, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar at about 4 am.

On Aug 8, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) issued an order for the exhumation of Zara Qairina’s remains to enable a post-mortem to be conducted, and on Aug 13,  ordered an inquest after reviewing the police investigation report.

-- BERNAMA