Kota Kinabalu: The Coroner’s Court was told that the residents who were at the dorm where Zara Qairina Mahathir was being questioned about a theft did not dare comfort her after a “fierce” scolding by the seniors.
Counsel Rizwandean M. Borhan, together with counsels Shahlan Jufri and Mohd Sharulnizam Mohd Salleh, in briefing the media on Tuesday, said the seventh child deponent stated that none of the dorm residents dared to comfort Zara.
Rizwandean said the deponent described the students who scolded Zara at the time as “fierce.”“The deponent stated that during the meeting with seniors, Zara appeared to be afraid. The four students entered the dorm and went straight to where Zara was sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“One of them clearly scolded Zara loudly, shouting at her and using a cuss word in Malay. Another student also rebuked Zara,” said Rizwandean.
Rizwandean further briefed that the child deponent said Zara was known as a cheerful student.
“She was the type who liked to talk and greet other students politely. She said she sometimes spoke and exchanged greetings with Zara when they met.
The deponent knew that Zara aspired to become a Badar (Surau Prefect). However, she said there were also students who seemed not to like Zara’s personality, mostly because Zara recorded the names of those who skipped Solat Jemaah at the musolla (surau).
This deponent said that Zara regarded one senior student as an elder sister and that Zara had told her this student was her favourite senior,” said Rizwandean.
Rizwandean said his team could not brief about the eighth child deponent as she had not finished her testimony.
The proceedings will continue on Oct 7 with evidence from a chemist.
Meanwhile, Rizwandean, together with his team who represented Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, extended their congratulations to Hamid Ismail on his appointment as Judicial Commissioner.
“We record our appreciation for his efforts, time and guidance since the early stages of this case, including ensuring that the post-mortem was conducted, that investigations were carried out thoroughly, and which ultimately led to this inquest proceeding.
“Noraidah and our team deeply value these efforts and pray for the best for him in carrying out his new responsibilities,” said Rizwandean.
