Kota Kinabalu: Zara Qairina Mahathir’s father told the Coroner’s Court that he was never asked whether he agreed to an autopsy being conducted on his daughter.
Mahathir Mohd Hashim @ Marikin, 45, said a doctor confirmed Zara’s death on July 17, 2025, while he was at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQE I).
“On July 17, 2025, while I was at HQE I, a doctor confirmed Zara’s death and I was with the doctor at the time.
“I was never asked whether I agreed to an autopsy being conducted,” said the 80th deponent when he read out his witness statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on Monday.
Mahathir said he was at HQE I from July 16 to 17, 2025, and slept at the hospital while waiting for Zara.
He had earlier arrived at the HQE I emergency unit at about 1pm to 3pm on July 16 after learning that Zara was at the hospital.
Recalling his arrival at the emergency unit, Mahathir said he saw Zara’s mother outside and asked about his daughter’s whereabouts.
After being informed by Zara’s mother, he went straight to see Zara at her bed after obtaining permission from a nurse at the emergency unit.
According to Mahathir, upon reaching Zara’s bed, he saw two women wearing dark blue uniforms, who were doctors, with Zara.
He said he could not remember the names of the two female doctors and did not know their positions or ranks.
“I was later informed by one of the female doctors that Zara’s condition at the time was critical.
“She also informed me that if Zara survived, she would remain in a coma permanently.
“She further informed me that Zara had suffered serious injuries involving bleeding in the brain, lungs and kidneys, as well as a broken leg,” he said.
Mahathir said that while at Zara’s bedside, he saw that the pillow where his daughter was lying was covered in blood.
“After that, I held Zara’s head and kissed her forehead.
“When I held the back of Zara’s head, I could feel that the upper back of her neck was soft and seemed to have a depression.
“I also found that Zara’s left leg was bandaged from the thigh to the sole of her foot,” he said.
Mahathir also said he had met several female teachers outside the emergency unit to ask what had actually happened to Zara and whether they were female wardens.
However, he said they only introduced themselves as History and Malay Language teachers.
