Kota Kinabalu: Sabah State Court Director Azreena Aziz, who was supposed to hear the inquest to investigate the cause of death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, has recused herself from hearing the case. Azreena, who announced this during Thursday’s proceedings, informed that Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan would replace her.
She said she recused herself from hearing the case as she is living in Papar, where the religious school attended by Zara is located, even though she was not familiar with the names allegedly involved in the case. The inquest dates have been fixed on Sept 3 and 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30.
Earlier during the proceedings, Azrena granted applications from the counsel representing Zara’s family that Noraidah Lamat, the mother, be declared as an Interested Person in the inquest proceedings, Noraidah through her appointed advocates be allowed to participate in the inquest proceedings, including by examining and cross-examining witnesses in the inquest, perusing documents adduced in the inquest and suggesting and adducing additional witnesses and documents to assist the Coroner.
The legal team’s application also include Noraidah to be furnished with copies of all the relevant documents by the Attorney General’s Chambers prior to the commencement of the inquest proceedings.
Azreena also allowed applications from counsels representing the five teenagers who were charged in the Children’s Court in connection with Zara’s case, to be interested parties in the inquest.
However, the application to stay the inquest trial by the five teenagers’ legal team, was dismissed.
Zara’s mother, who was present during the proceedings, looked calm.
The Sabah Department of Women Affairs (JHEWA) application to be watching brief in the inquest was not allowed.
On Aug 13, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) ordered an inquest into the death of Zara to determine the cause of death, including whether there were any criminal elements involved.
The 13-year-old Zara reportedly fell from the third floor of a school in Papar on July 17 this year. She was found unconscious in the school drain at 3am and died the following day in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
She said she recused herself from hearing the case as she is living in Papar, where the religious school attended by Zara is located, even though she was not familiar with the names allegedly involved in the case. The inquest dates have been fixed on Sept 3 and 4, Sept 8 to 12, Sept 17 to 19 and Sept 22 to 30.
Earlier during the proceedings, Azrena granted applications from the counsel representing Zara’s family that Noraidah Lamat, the mother, be declared as an Interested Person in the inquest proceedings, Noraidah through her appointed advocates be allowed to participate in the inquest proceedings, including by examining and cross-examining witnesses in the inquest, perusing documents adduced in the inquest and suggesting and adducing additional witnesses and documents to assist the Coroner.
The legal team’s application also include Noraidah to be furnished with copies of all the relevant documents by the Attorney General’s Chambers prior to the commencement of the inquest proceedings.
Azreena also allowed applications from counsels representing the five teenagers who were charged in the Children’s Court in connection with Zara’s case, to be interested parties in the inquest.
However, the application to stay the inquest trial by the five teenagers’ legal team, was dismissed.
Zara’s mother, who was present during the proceedings, looked calm.
The Sabah Department of Women Affairs (JHEWA) application to be watching brief in the inquest was not allowed.
On Aug 13, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) ordered an inquest into the death of Zara to determine the cause of death, including whether there were any criminal elements involved.
The 13-year-old Zara reportedly fell from the third floor of a school in Papar on July 17 this year. She was found unconscious in the school drain at 3am and died the following day in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
