KOTA KINABALU: The inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir will resume today, with testimony expected from a doctor attached to the Forensic Medicine Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Shahlan Jufri, one of the lawyers representing Zara’s mother, said that if time permits, the hostel’s chief warden may also be called after the doctor has given evidence.
“If the examination of the chief warden can be completed this week, it is likely that the children’s testimony will begin immediately afterwards. However, if it cannot be concluded, then the children are expected to take the stand next week,” he told the New Straits Times.
Today marks the eighth day of the inquest. So far, six witnesses have given evidence before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
They include forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, who conducted the post-mortem; document examiner Nurul Atiqah Mohd Noh; emergency department doctor Dr Janefer Voo; and neurosurgery medical officer Dr Pavankumar Balachandran.
Also listed are Crime Scene Investigation officer Inspector Maidon Bernadus and security guard Linah Mansoding, who was on duty the night Zara was found.
Five teenagers charged in the Court for Children have been identified by the initials A, B, C, D and E throughout the inquest.
Other children named in open court have also not been identified by the media in order to protect their identities.
Zara, a Form One student, was found unconscious in the early hours of Aug 16 on the grounds of her school hostel in Papar.
She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. The inquest, which began on Sept 3, is scheduled to continue on selected dates until Sept 30.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
