Kota Kinabalu: Several individuals who claimed to be from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) allegedly approached Zara Qairina Mahathir’s stepsister, Malianah Mahathir, and tried to influence her testimony concerning her stepmother, known as Mama Zara, the Coroner’s Court heard.
The 81st deponent told counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah that the individuals did not directly ask her to change her testimony but allegedly made suggestions aimed at ensuring her evidence did not blame or expose Mama Zara.
Malianah said she was introduced to some of the individuals by her father while others contacted her by telephone, including one person who repeatedly called her and asked about her statement to police.
She identified the individuals as Ena Awil, whom she met once, Datuk Chin, whom she met during the same occasion, and Mona Din and Joyce, with whom she had interacted by telephone, adding that she later lodged a police report at Bukit Sentosa Police Station after being repeatedly contacted by Ena.
When questioned by Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, Malianah said she had moved out of Mama Zara’s house before Zara was born, adding that she was only answering questions from police and was not in court to expose anyone’s shame, while also acknowledging that Mama Zara did not treat her badly every day during the time she lived with her.
