Recalled witness testifies on notes given by Zara

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 23): A recalled witness testified that the late Zara Qairina Mahathir had given her several yellow handwritten notes, including messages which read “bye kesayanganku” (bye my love), during her testimony in the ongoing inquest.

Counsel Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, explained that the notes were initially placed in a textbook by Zara and handed to the witness.

“The witness testified that the purpose of Zara giving these notes was because she wanted to go to musollah (prayer hall).

“The witness said that there was also one note but it was misplaced or went missing,” said Shahlan.

Shahlan added that the notes had been submitted to a teacher, and the witness had explained the events at the musollah in her written statement.

“In the witness’ written statement, the witness explained that she met Zara and two pieces of notes were found in a text book and a tafsir book.

“This recalled witness was Zara’s close friend,” Shahlan added.

Meanwhile in a statement, counsel Joan Goh, representing Student A, said the recalled witness confirmed receiving two handwritten notes from Zara, one of which was given to the teacher.

“As for the other note, it says ‘(witness name) aku sayang kau’ (I love you) (witness name), ‘aku pergi dulu ni bay (witness name)’ (I go first), ‘da kesayangan 15/7/2025’ (bye love 15/7/2025).

“Witness could not really confirm as to exactly when this note was written as the note had been misplaced, the yellow note the witness received from Zara was given to the teacher,” said Goh.

Goh also noted that all the notes were marked as court exhibits, including messages in which Zara apologised to the witness for behaving jealously.