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THE ongoing inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir is set to enter a new stage in April, focusing on testimony from a child witness and two medical experts, lawyers involved in the case have confirmed.
Lweyer Shahlan Jufri stated that proceedings will resume on Wednesday, beginning with the continuation of the child witness’s statement in the morning, followed by testimony from her mother, and subsequently two specialist doctors.
“Earlier in March, we received a report from a Ministry of Health psychiatrist, including documentation from Dr Chua Sze Huang of Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang, who is scheduled to testify this Thursday,” Shahlan said during a press briefing outside the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex.
He added that the legal team requires additional time to review the psychiatrist’s report, which spans 84 pages, before conducting any questioning.
The team representing Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, includes Datuk Rizwandean M Borhan, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Farrah Nasser, and Elhanan James, all of whom attended the inquest at the Coroner’s Court.
Shahlan noted that his team must consult with their own experts before cross-examination can take place, with questioning expected to occur shortly after the witnesses provide their statements.
Another specialist witness, Dr Phupinder Singh, a pathologist called by the legal team of Datuk Ram Singh, is scheduled to give evidence during the next phase of proceedings from April 13 to 17.
Commenting on the 84-page report, Shahlan explained that it was prepared by the psychiatrist following interviews with Zara’s parents and several other individuals.
“The report was completed and received in March, so we need some time to review it thoroughly,” he said, underlining the care taken to examine the details ahead of court questioning. - April 1, 2026
