Forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu has lodged a police report over death threats received online following her statements in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Kasim Muda confirmed the matter. He said: “In her report, Hiu said she was informed by the director of Queen Elizabeth Hospital of the death threats,” Berita Harian reported.
Hiu had testified on Wednesday that it was not likely for Zara’s death to have been caused by an accidental fall or by being pushed from a standing position at the scene.
The inquest was ordered after allegations of bullying were made after Zara died on July 17, a day after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school’s hostel in Papar, Sabah.
Social media users had responded harshly to Hiu’s testimony, with many questioning her findings and credibility. However, Hamid Ismail, the lawyer representing Zara’s mother, urged the public to respect Hiu, and said insulting her would not benefit anyone.
Hiu testified on Wednesday that it was possible 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.
Her testimony was made after she had been asked to provide her professional opinion on injuries suffered by the teenager before her death.
Hiu has served as forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu since 1998. She has also testified as an expert witness on an average of 10 to 15 times a year at the magistrates’, sessions, and High Courts in Sabah and Labuan.
The inquest resumes on Sept 8.
