Kota kinabalu: Former principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, Shaharom Hashim, 51, testified in the Coroner's Court, stating her lack of awareness regarding written statements from five students related to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 47th witness was recalled to the stand and revealed that she became aware of these statements only after they were submitted to the police on July 16 and 17. This revelation came during questioning by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
When asked by lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina's mother, about two reports submitted by the school, Shaharom explained that the first report detailed the student's fall in the dormitory. The second report outlined the chronology of the incident. She mentioned receiving the first report on the morning of July 16, which was then forwarded to the Papar District Education Office and the State Education Department. The second report, however, was received on August 12, 2025, from the student affairs secretary.
In response to Coroner Amir Shah's inquiry about any visits from ministers or deputy ministers following the incident, Shaharom indicated that there had been none. However, she noted that officials from the Ministry of Education and the Islamic Education Division had visited the school, with counsellors present to offer support.
Additionally, the eighth witness, head warden Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, also recalled to testify, informed the court about a piece of paper discovered by a student in the hostel. This paper, containing information about Zara Qairina, was found on the third floor corridor during a gotong-royong activity before the incident. It was subsequently handed over to the police for investigation on July 21, 2025.
Zara Qairina, aged 13, passed away on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She had been found unconscious near her school hostel a day earlier. Her remains were exhumed for a post-mortem following orders from the Attorney General's Chambers on August 8, with an inquest into her death announced on August 13.
The inquest proceedings are set to continue tomorrow.