KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — The Coroner’s Court was told today that 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir was last seen by other students in distress after being accused of stealing.
According to head warden Azhari Abdul Sagap, written statements from students said Zara Qairina was confronted by those from a neighbouring dorm over allegedly stolen items, which she denied.
Azhari testified that during the confrontation, some students were said to have searched her bag and locker and claimed to have found a Malaysian flag pin belonging to the dormitory leader.
“They confronted her and she swore that she did not [steal]. That’s when some harsh words were uttered by Zara’s dorm leader. That’s what the students said. That’s all that was written,” said Azhari.
“From the investigation, she left the room crying and screamed ‘I did not steal, stupid’ as she went to the toilet.”
“That’s the last she was seen, at the toilet, before she was found on the ground floor,” he added.
Azhari is the eighth witness called in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.
She was found unconscious in a drain beside her hostel at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar in the early hours of July 16.
She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day after succumbing to her injuries.
