Kuala lumpur: The Coroner's Court today wrapped up the in-camera testimonies of 35 child witnesses in the ongoing inquest into the death of Form One student, Zara Qairina Mahathir. The children, whose testimonies began on September 22, completed their testimonies before Coroner Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan, marking the 36th day of the proceedings.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the testimonies were conducted behind closed doors in compliance with the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 (Amendment 2024), which ensures the protection of the identities of minor witnesses. Media personnel were prohibited from entering the courtroom, and any publication of details that could identify the witnesses was strictly forbidden.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari, serving as the inquest's conducting officer, confirmed that the final child witness had finished testifying. The inquest is scheduled to resume next Monday, with nine teachers and the principal from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, set to provide their testimonies.

Zara Qairina, aged 13, was declared dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, following her admission a day earlier after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at 4 am. On August 13, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) announced the decision to conduct an inquest into her death after a review of the police investigation report. Prior to this, on August 8, the AGC had ordered the exhumation of Zara Qairina's remains for a post-mortem examination.