Kota Kinabalu: The Coroner’s Court was informed that the Chief Warden had directed several students to move Zara Qairina Mahathir to a place with a distance of 20 meters from where she was found.
Chief Warden of SMKA Tun Mustapha Ustaz Azhari Abd Sagap said he asked the students together with a security guard Linah to move Zara near the warden house as he intended to send Zara to hospital using his own vehicle.
However, he said because they felt the weight as they lifted Zara, he discontinued his intention.
“At first, the plan was to take her straight to hospital using my car, but it was difficult. So I placed her carefully near the warden’s house, laying a sarong underneath so she was not put down just like that,” he said.
According to Azhari, as soon as he arrived at the scene after having been alerted by a security guard, he then directed the students to move Zara.
“I asked the students to carry her immediately. The students together with Linah tried to lift her, but after a few steps they felt she was heavy to carry.
“I then helped, with two students supporting her head and feet. We then put Zara near the warden’s house as the spot was sheltered and hidden from the view of other pupils,” he said when answering questions by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari asked why Zara was moved rather than left until the authorities or an ambulance arrived.
Fairuz: Why did you give that instruction?Azhari: When I arrived at the scene, I did not see any serious injuries. I only noticed her left leg was hurt. After she was lifted, I saw blood at the edge of the drain. My intention was to get her to hospital quickly.
Asked why Zara was not taken to the nearby sick room, Azhari explained the head student was staying there which had been newly designated this year.
“I did not want to put her there as it was occupied by the Student Head and if I put her there, the students inside would have been traumatised. Even I myself was traumatised having to carry her,” he said.
Azhari, who has served as warden since February, said his decision was made in good faith and based on his immediate observation of Zara’s condition.
According to Azhari, when he arrived at the hostel about six minutes later, he found the 13-year-old lying unconscious in the drain.
He observed that Zara was still breathing, making a sound “like snoring in sleep”, adding that at the scene with him and Linah together with several students.
Azhari said he immediately dialled 991 for emergency help at 3.17am, before contacting the school’s Senior Assistant for Student Affairs, Cikgu Asnie, and informing the principal, Ustazah Shaharoom Hashim, in person.
He also tried calling Zara’s parents but failed and at about 3.47am, he called the ambulance again and it arrived shortly before 4am and took Zara to hospital.
Azhari further testified that at 8.16am that same morning, Azhari lodged a police report at Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters.
