A forensic psychiatrist testified that a dormitory confrontation was the triggering factor for Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious at her school hostel last July.
KOTA KINABALU: A dormitory confrontation acted as the triggering factor for teenager Zara Qairina Mahathir the night before she was found unconscious, a forensic psychiatrist testified.
Dr Chua Sze Hung told the Coroner’s Court the Form One student was deprived of her usual coping mechanisms after the incident.
The 43-year-old expert from Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang said Zara Qairina typically relied on peer support, diary writing, and non-suicidal self-injury.
He stated she was visibly distressed, crying and shouting in denial immediately after the confrontation in her dormitory room.
“Her peers described that it was unusual for her to do that,” Dr Chua told deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari. He noted the teenager cherished interaction with peers, but none came forward to console her that night.
This isolation would have had a significant psychological impact on her, the psychiatrist explained.
He confirmed the confrontation was clearly the triggering and precipitating factor for the subsequent incident.
Dr Chua said he did not believe a single factor caused the tragedy. However, he stated it was unlikely to have occurred that particular morning without the dormitory confrontation.
The psychiatrist reviewed a statement from the 65th child witness, believed to be the last person to interact with Zara Qairina.
He said this information strengthened his psychological autopsy conclusions regarding her mental state.
Dr Chua confirmed his findings were based on professional expertise, with the final decision resting with the court.
Zara Qairina, 13, died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being found unconscious near her school hostel drain.
The Attorney General’s Chambers ordered her remains exhumed for a post-mortem on Aug 8.
A formal inquest into her death was announced on Aug 13, with proceedings set to resume on April 13.
