Zara Qairina inquest: Coroner concludes witness phase, to set final directions tomorrow

Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, died on July 17, 2025 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been admitted a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4am. — Daily Express pic

First Published: Thursday, 15 Oct 2026 9:20 AM MYT

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 15 — The Coroner’s Court here today concluded hearing the testimonies of all 83 witnesses in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, with Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan fixing Friday morning for further directions on submissions.

Amir Shah, before adjourning today’s proceedings, said no further deponents would be called on Friday, with the court sitting at 9 am for directions on submissions in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina.

“On Friday, I will hear from the parties and decide on the directions for submissions,” he said.

The coroner said the grounds for the verdict would be delivered in Bahasa Malaysia to make the inquest findings easier to understand.

Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after she was found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in the early hours of July 16.

On Aug 13, 2025, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) announced that an inquest would be conducted into Zara Qairina’s death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by police.

On Aug 8, 2025, the AGC said that Zara Qairina’s remains would be exhumed to allow for a post-mortem examination.

The exhumation at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery, Kampung Mesapol, Sipitang, was completed at 7.15 pm on Aug 9, 2025.

The inquest into the death of the Form One student commenced on Sept 13 last year. — Bernama