Doctors’ group slams netizens targeting expert witness in Zara Qairina inquest

The CoPM said Dr Jessie Hiu gave her witness statement with professionalism, integrity and ethical duty, and that going after her as an expert witness was unacceptable.

“Doctors must be free to carry out their responsibilities – whether in the courtroom, clinic, or online – without fear of intimidation. Harassment not only harms individuals but also weakens the healthcare system, undermines justice, and erodes public trust.

“We also call on the public to use social media responsibly. Doctors, like all professionals, deserve safety and dignity at work. Bullying and intimidation cannot, and must not, be tolerated,” it said in a statement.

The group added that netizens who “weaponised” social media to threaten or defame doctors, especially those testifying as expert witnesses in court, must be held accountable by the authorities.

“We commend the police for swiftly identifying a suspect and urge continued firm action against such threats.”

Hiu testified last week that it was unlikely that Zara’s death was caused by an accidental fall or by being pushed from a standing position at the scene.

She said it was possible that Zara had climbed the concrete wall on the third floor of her hostel. However, she left it to the court to determine if Zara had voluntarily jumped.

Hiu had been asked to provide her professional opinion on the injuries suffered by the teenager before her death.

Hiu has served as a forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu since 1998. She has also testified as an expert witness an average of 10 to 15 times a year at the magistrates’, sessions, and High Courts in Sabah and Labuan.

Social media users however responded harshly to Hiu’s testimony, with many questioning her findings and credibility.

She lodged a police report after receiving death threats following her witness statements. A 61-year-old man in Semporna was arrested several days later.