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THE mother of Student A testified in the ongoing inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, expressing her shock upon learning that her child had been taken to the police station without her knowledge.
During her testimony at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court on Monday, the witness explained that she only discovered the incident two days later, when she arrived at her child’s school on July 18 -- two days after Zara’s tragic death.
"I was searching for my child at the school, but was told she was not there. I asked her friends, and they said she had followed Ustaz Azhahari, but they didn’t know where she had gone," the mother recalled, visibly upset.
"Later, my husband called the ustaz, and we were told that my child had been taken to the police station."
The mother expressed anger and frustration at not being informed about her child’s police involvement until much later, underscoring her concern that she was kept in the dark about the situation.
Responding to questions from Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari, the witness explained that had she been notified earlier, she would have permitted her child’s cooperation with the investigation into the events surrounding Zara Qairina’s death.
"If I had been informed earlier, I would have allowed my child to help with the investigation," she added. "I only found out about what happened to Zara through another parent after the incident on July 16."
The mother recounted her emotional state upon hearing about the tragic event, describing feelings of fear and panic as she rushed to the school.
“I was terrified, anxious, and overwhelmed with many thoughts. I just wanted to get to the school as soon as possible,” she said.
Further recounting her visit to the school, the mother stated that when she met her child on July 17, she noticed several teachers surrounding her.
"There were two full desks around her. I asked what the desks were for, and was told they were for meetings," she explained.
The mother described her child as appearing stiff and unresponsive during their meeting, despite not crying.
"She had never behaved like that before," she said, her voice breaking. "I hugged her and reassured her that I was there. I asked her father to recite a prayer over her head, and after that, she seemed calmer and began eating again."
She further revealed that her child was still receiving treatment for the trauma caused by the incident and had received her latest treatment just last Tuesday.
The inquest into Zara Qairina’s death has revealed various accounts from witnesses, including the school's handling of the incident and the emotional toll on those involved. Zara, 13, was found unconscious under a dormitory building at a religious school in Papar on July 16 last year. She was later confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (HQEI) the following day.
As the inquest continues, the testimony of the mother of Student A highlights the deep emotional impact of the events surrounding Zara’s death and the ongoing concerns of those directly affected. - February 2, 2026
