KOTA KINABALU: The legal team representing the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir will appoint its own handwriting experts to examine 21 exhibits linked to the teenager’s handwriting.
Counsel Rizwandean M. Borhan said the exhibits, presented to the Coroner’s Court today, comprised papers, notebooks and school textbooks.
On the third day of the 17-day inquest, document examiner Nurul Atiqah Mohd Noh told the court that exhibits containing “questionable handwriting” bore similarities to specimens found in Zara’s schoolbooks and exercise books.
“On behalf of Zara’s mother, we have engaged our own handwriting experts to examine these documents.
“We have also requested the Coroner’s Court to allow our experts access to them.
“It is far too early to draw conclusions.
“The purpose of this inquest is to determine how, when and where the circumstances occurred.
“We want the truth to be established, and therefore it is only right to seek another expert opinion,” Rizwandean told reporters after proceedings adjourned at 5pm today.
He said the team would have engaged experts earlier but only obtained the exhibits today.
The court has since approved their application for independent experts to conduct an examination.
Rizwandean said arrangements now need to be made with the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding the venue and timing of the inspection by their Kuala Lumpur-based experts.
“The original documents are in the court’s possession, so our experts can examine them.
“However, this will also depend on coordination with the Chemistry Department, as their representatives are required to be present.
“We also need to identify a suitable venue for the examination,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
