Student Accused In Zara Qairina Case Testifies In Camera

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court today heard the testimony of a student accused in the bullying case involving  Zara Qairina Mahathir, in the ongoing inquest into the death of the Form One teenager. 

The student commenced her testimony in camera at 10.00 am before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, with the proceedings concluding at 4.45 pm.

The matter was confirmed by the inquest conducting officer, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari, and the witness’ counsel, Datuk Ram Singh. 

Pursuant to the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2017, which expressly forbids the publication of any details that may identify a minor, media personnel were prohibited from the floor during the in-camera testimony to protect the witness's identity.

The student had initially been scheduled to testify last Friday; however, the hearing was adjourned to today following her witness statement being leaked.

It is understood that the child witness is scheduled to continue her testimony tomorrow. A total of 35 child witnesses are expected to be called throughout the inquest.

To date, eight adult witnesses have already given evidence in the proceedings, with an additional 25 anticipated to testify in subsequent sessions.

Zara Qairina died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was buried at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Sipitang the same day. She was admitted to the hospital a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4 am.

On Aug 8, the Attorney General’s Chambers ordered her remains to be exhumed for a post-mortem, before announcing an inquest into her death on Aug 13. 

-- BERNAMA