Lawyer: No interference in Zara's post-mortem examination [WATCH]

KOTA KINABALU: The post-mortem examination of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) Forensic Department here, went smoothly without any interference.

Lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who observed the procedure from 11am to 7.30pm at the request of the deceased’s family, said he personally witnessed the entire process from start to finish.

“I can say the post-mortem was carried out very well. There were no elements as alleged on social media, such as claims of certain ‘hands’ being involved. None of that happened.

“I saw for myself how Zara was examined until the procedure was completed, including all the necessary steps,” he told reporters at the HQE grounds.

Shahlan added that once the post-mortem was completed, the forensic team would prepare the report within the timeframe set by the relevant authorities.

On how long it would take, Shahlan said it was difficult to determine exactly, but the maximum could be up to two months.

“If you ask how long the process will take, I can’t say exactly. The fastest might be within a certain period, but at the latest, it could take two months.

“This is because it involves several specialists, and all of them will discuss things before finalising the post-mortem report,” he said.

Commenting on the procedure itself, Shahlan said he saw the doctors conduct a thorough examination of Zara’s remains.

“In the forensic room, I saw exactly how the doctors examined her. It was done thoroughly.

“Several police personnel were also present, but only I and the forensic team entered the examination room, as per the wishes of Zara’s family,” he said.

Shahlan said the post-mortem was conducted by four specialists, including Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun, consultant pathologist at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang.

They were assisted by a forensic photographer and a police photographer.

Zara’s remains were exhumed yesterday for a post-mortem to complete investigations into her death. She had originally been buried on July 17.

The exhumation at Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang, was carried out following a magistrate’s order via Zoom proceedings at the Papar police headquarters yesterday.

After the post-mortem was completed, Zara’s remains were taken back to Sipitang to be reburied at the same location.

The Form One student was reported to have died at HQE a day after allegedly falling from the third floor of the dormitory building at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha,Kinarut, on July 16.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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