KOTA KINABALU: Lawyers representing Zara Qairina Mahathir’s family said they will hire their own handwriting expert to independently analyse the disputed notes and diaries introduced in the inquest into the teenager’s death.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the proceedings ended at about 5pm on Monday (Sept 9), Mohd Sharulnizam Mohd Salleh, the counsel for Zara Qairina’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, said arrangements were being made for their expert, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, to conduct the examination.
“This morning, a handwriting expert from the Chemistry Department testified regarding several documents, including diaries, loose sheets and school textbooks with hundreds of pages.
“What is important to note is that it has not been established whether these writings were by the deceased herself or by anyone else. The expert only examined the specimens provided, but did not confirm authorship,” he said.
Mohd Sharulnizam added that some of the original documents were only unsealed in court that day, which meant their expert could not have reviewed them earlier.
“On behalf of Zara Qairina’s mother, we have also engaged our own handwriting expert to examine these documents. We have applied to the Coroner’s Court for permission to allow our expert to conduct the examination. Arrangements will be made with the Attorney-General’s Chambers regarding the venue and timing,” he said.
He said that it was “too early to judge the contents of the documents” until a second opinion was obtained.
“That is why we believe it is important to obtain a second opinion from our own expert, to verify and confirm the findings,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Ram Singh, a lawyer for one of the teenagers charged with bullying, said the testimony of the Chemistry Department examiner had now concluded after he found “striking similarities” between Zara Qairina’s confirmed handwriting and several exhibits.
“The family has been allowed to bring in our own expert to examine the documents. It is too early to make any conclusions until that is done,” he said.
Ram added that the inquest would proceed with testimony from doctors who attended to Zara Qairina here.
The court has also scheduled a locus in quo visit for Thursday (Sept 11) to help determine how Zara Qairina fell and from which floor.
“Access will be with only two lawyers permitted to enter and view the location. This step is crucial,” he said, adding that Wednesday’s session would be a half-day to allow the conducting officer to prepare.
He also stressed the importance of transparency, while highlighting concerns about threats made in connection with the case.
“While the deceased’s name is mentioned as part of the procedure, the names of teenagers involved must remain confidential under the law. Threats or no threats, we are here to reveal the truth,” he said.
The inquest, which has drawn significant public attention, would continue with further expert testimony in the next session.
Tuesday’s (Sept 9) proceeding is expected to call witnesses, including two doctors from the hospital here, and a witness from the school, among others.
The inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina has gripped public attention since she was found critically injured outside her school dormitory two months ago.
In the early hours of July 16, Zara Qairina was discovered unconscious in a drain near the girls’ hostel at a school in Papar.
She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, about 38km away, where doctors placed her on life support, but she died the following day from severe head injuries.
Public concern over possible elements of bullying and foul play prompted the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to order Zara Qairina’s body exhumed in early August for a post-mortem.
Her remains were reburied after the procedure.
On August 13, the AGC announced that a full inquest would be held to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
This decision came after police investigations, and separate charges were brought against five teenagers for allegedly bullying Zara Qairina prior to the incident. Their cases are ongoing but are distinct from the inquest.
The inquest, presided over by Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan sitting as coroner, began on September 3 at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court, and it has been scheduled to run for 19 days throughout September.
So far, the court has heard testimony from forensic experts and pathologists, including evidence suggesting that Zara Qairina’s fall was unlikely to have been a simple accident.
The proceedings are expected to continue with more witnesses, including medical personnel and school staff, as the court seeks to determine how and why the teenager fell to her death.
