Kuala lumpur: A consultant psychiatrist told the Coroner's Court here that Zara Qairina Mahathir was conscious and able to recognise people around her in a last encounter with a student on the night before she was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel on July 16, last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Wong Haw Huo testified that during the last encounter with a senior student, the deceased was visibly distressed. The senior student, who is also witness number 65, described Zara Qairina's face as red, as if she had been crying, indicating deep distress after isolating herself in the toilet.

Dr. Wong explained that Zara Qairina was seen by the witness shortly after emerging from the toilet, recognising the student, and appearing as if she had just been crying. The witness testified that Zara Qairina expressed a desire to switch schools and mentioned "I want to jump off," but struggled to articulate the reason due to the serious events that had occurred a few hours earlier.

Dr. Wong highlighted that Zara had been repeatedly confronted and humiliated by a group of students in front of her peers. Despite her cries and shouts, no one consoled her. She sought psychological self-healing in the toilet, hoping someone would follow her due to her vulnerability and emotional dysregulation at that time.

Responding to a question from conducting officer Mohd Fairuz Johari, Dr. Wong stated he could not confirm Zara Qairina's understanding of the consequences of "jumping off" without assessing her comprehension level. He noted that she was in a confined hostel dormitory space, and even her roommate did not approach her during her breakdown, which was unprecedented.

Dr. Wong added that some peers perceived Zara Qairina as attention-seeking due to her social tendencies. Her talkative and friendly nature, known to primary school friends and teachers, may have been misinterpreted by those unfamiliar with her, especially in the new boarding school environment.

He emphasized that this perception, supported by various witnesses and sources, including negative social media content, reflected how some peers viewed Zara Qairina. This perception may have contributed to her becoming an easier target, with some seeing her as a troublemaker.

Dr. Wong noted that this created cumulative interpersonal difficulties for Zara Qairina from March until July. Earlier in the proceedings, the court observed a moment of silence in memory of Zara Qairina, marking one year since her death at the age of 13.

Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan invited everyone in the courtroom to stand for a minute of silence before resuming proceedings on the 83rd day of the inquest into Zara Qairina's death. The court expressed humanity and solemn respect, with Muslims invited to recite Surah Al-Fatihah and others to reflect or pray according to their faiths.

Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after being found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel at about 4 am. The inquest continues.