KOTA KINABALU, Oct 21 — A student witness told the inquest into the death of schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir that the deceased had once shown her what appeared to be self-inflicted scars resembling a “barcode” on her forearm.
According to counsel Joan Goh, the Form One student said Zara Qairina had revealed the marks earlier this year while they were alone in a dormitory bathroom.
“She showed her the scars and said she made them herself. But the witness didn’t ask how or when the barcode was done,” said Goh.
She testified that there were other students in school who also had the markings on their arm.
The 26th deponent, this child witness said she last saw Zara Qairina the night before, sitting on the dormitory floor near her locker around 10pm.
Later that night, after lights out at about 11pm, Zara Qairina had approached the witness to borrow a pair of scissors.
“I didn’t give it to her because someone else had borrowed it earlier. She then left the dorm. After that, I went to sleep and don’t know what happened,” she was quoted saying.
The student also recalled being allowed to read one of Zara Qairina’s diaries, which was dark green in colour. She said the writings contained personal reflections and, at one point, she had noticed a page stained with dried blood.
However, she told the court she was not a close friend of Zara Qairina. She also never saw her being bullied, scolded, or crying, nor had Zara ever complained of being harassed or pressured by anyone at school.
Lawyer Rizwandean Borhan said that the witness was also aware that Zara Qairina aspired to become a BADAR (student religious prefect) and said that those who wished to join the group must be disciplined and able to memorise at least three chapters of the Quran.
She said Zara Qairina looked up to one of the senior students who was a BADAR.
The inquest is being held to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the death of Zara Qairina, who was found unconscious after a fall at her religious boarding school and succumbed to injuries the next day.
The incident received widespread and unprecedented attention and resulted in the order for her body to be exhumed for post mortem. Simultaneously, investigations revealed there were elements of bullying which resulted in five students currently facing court charges.
Proceedings continue tomorrow.
