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THE legal team representing the teenagers accused in connection with the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir has stated that its primary role during the inquest is to ensure their clients’ rights are upheld throughout the proceedings.
Lead counsel Datuk Ram Singh told reporters outside the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex that the Coroner’s Court has allowed the lawyers to participate as interested parties, rather than mere observers.
“The court has agreed that we may act as parties of interest, not merely watching brief,” he said. “The Attorney General’s Chambers will lead on matters of fact. We are not permitted to cross-examine witnesses, as that is the law, but we will assess where we may contribute meaningfully.”
The 17-day inquest, which commenced today, is expected to call 68 witnesses, including 35 teenagers.
“There will be child witnesses involved. When the time comes, these children must be protected – and that is why we are here,” Ram said, emphasising the defence team's role in safeguarding the well-being and legal rights of all minors involved.
He noted that while their ability to question witnesses is limited, their presence ensures procedural fairness and attention to the vulnerable status of juvenile witnesses.
The defence team comprises several lawyers representing five teenagers facing allegations related to Zara Qairina’s death. In addition to Ram Singh, the team includes Joan Goh, Prem Elmer Ganasan, Azhier Farhan Arisin, Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah, Fareez Salleh and Sylvester Kuan.
Earlier at the inquest proceedings, the body of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir was said to be found to be in a state of moderate to advanced decomposition when exhumed for autopsy on 9 August, but forensic experts confirmed the condition was consistent with the length of time she had been buried.
Dr Jessie Hiu, a forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE), told the Coroner’s Court this afternoon that although decomposition had progressed significantly, most bodily tissues — with the exception of the brain — remained sufficiently intact to conduct a full post-mortem.
“Despite the decomposition, the tissues, excluding the brain, were relatively preserved, allowing for both external and internal examinations as well as documentation of injuries,” she said while reading her written testimony in court.
The exhumation was carried out at Tanjung Ubi Mesapol Cemetery in Sipitang on 9 August, with identification of the remains confirmed by the child’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, before the post-mortem was conducted at HQE.
Dr Jessie stated that the autopsy began at 11.25am on 10 August 2025 at HQE’s Department of Forensic Medicine.
She conducted the examination alongside HQE forensic consultant Dr Muhammad Uzair Ahmad Suriani and Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun from Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang.
They were assisted by Dr Lau Cheng of HQE and observed by three police officers and a police photographer. Lawyer Shahlan Jufri was present to represent the family.
The external and internal examinations revealed several traumatic injuries. Dr Jessie said, “There was a stitched laceration at the back of the head, with no fractures to the skull or facial bones. The brain, however, had undergone liquefaction due to decomposition and could not be assessed.”
Further injuries included bruising and fractures to both arms and legs. “There were bruises and deformities on the left forearm, wrist, hand and fifth finger, with a distal radius fracture and dislocation of the wrist joint,” she said.
“Bruising was also observed on the right ankle, with multiple fractures to the distal right tibia involving the ankle joint. The left leg had lacerations and bruises, with several oblique fractures to the distal left tibia and calcaneus, dislocation of the left ankle, and fractures to the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae.”
Dr Jessie added that a haematoma was detected in the left psoas muscle and retroperitoneal pelvic tissue, confirming the injuries were consistent with medical records, CT scans, CTA scans and X-rays taken before death.
Additional minor abrasions were noted on the back of the left forearm and left elbow, but these were superficial, not extending to deeper tissues, muscle or bone.
The inquest into Zara Qairina’s death continues. - Sept 3, 2025
