KOTA KINABALU: There was no secrecy surrounding the identity of Student A’s mother, who had been described as a "halimunan" (invisible) deponent in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Counsel Joan Goh, representing Student A, who is charged in the Children’s Court in connection with the incident, clarified that the court’s notes of proceedings recorded the full name and identity card number of Student A’s mother and that members of the media were present during the open court hearing.
She said publication is subject to strict legal provisions prohibiting the naming of a child involved in proceedings and the disclosure of any information that could lead to the child’s identification, including particulars of the mother.
Goh explained that the differences in publication between deponents 62, 63 and 64 were due to compliance with the law, adding that the inquest was handled more strictly because of the impact of social media, including reported threats against the five alleged offenders and their family members.
She clarified claims made in a TikTok video alleging special treatment for the 62nd deponent and the existence of "invisible" deponents in the inquest, and stated that no VVIP was involved in the matter.