KOTA KINABALU: The inquest into Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death is expected to hear from a document examiner from the Chemistry Department, said lawyer Mohd Sharulnizam Mohd Salleh.
Sharulnizam, who is representing Zara’s parents, said the new witnesses are expected to testify before the Coroner’s Court next week.
“Our legal team has requested access to, or copies of, the scanned diary entries so we can study them in detail and consider all possible actions in preparing our legal strategy,” he told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex.
Sharulnizam added that apart from the diaries, his team also required several medical reports to prepare more relevant questions.
Separately, Datuk Ram Singh, who represents one of the five juveniles linked to Zara, said his team had yet to see the diary’s contents.
“But in my experience, a diary has been used in other criminal proceedings. Perhaps it may shed some light,” he said.
Two more medical personnel are also expected to be called as witnesses next week.
The second day of the 17-day inquest concluded today.
The first witness, Dr Jessie Hiu, a forensic pathologist from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, spent two days at the Coroner’s Court reading a five-page witness statement and was examined by conducting officer Datuk Badiuszaman Ahmad, lawyers for the five children and the defence lawyers.
Dr Hiu also marked Zara’s injuries on a mannequin brought into court today.
The inquest follows the death of the Form One student, who was found unconscious at her school hostel on July 16 and declared dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan expects to hear from a total of 68 witnesses, including 35 children. The inquest will also include a site visit to the scene in Papar next Thursday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
