Zara Qairina inquest set for September; 195 witnesses to be called

THE Coroner’s Court in Kota Knabalu has fixed a series of dates in September to begin inquest proceedings into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, with the aim of determining whether any criminal elements were involved.

Sabah State Court director Azreena Aziz, presiding as coroner, set the dates during a case mention on Monday. The proceedings have been scheduled for 3–4, 8–12, 17–19, and 22–30 September.

A total of 195 witnesses have been identified for the inquest, which was requested by the Sabah state director of prosecutions.

Security was tight within the court compound during the mention, with police officers stationed outside the courthouse to maintain order. Members of the media had begun gathering as early as 8am to cover the case.

The proceedings were attended by a legal team representing the deceased's mother, Noraidah Lamat, as well as a prosecution team led by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).

Among the lawyers present were Hamid Ismail, Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M. Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasser. - August 18, 2025