Witness describes ‘scary and intense’ dorm interrogation of Zara by seniors

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 23): A key witness described the situation as “scary and intense” when the late Zara Qairina Mahathir was interrogated twice by at least three senior students, according to counsel Shahlan Jufri.

The fresh child witness gave oral evidence before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan following the submission of written statements by students on November 25, 2025.

The witness had previously submitted a written statement regarding events the night before the incident.

Shahlan, representing Zara’s mother Noraidah Lamat, explained that the first interrogation involved two seniors questioning Zara over a theft accusation, while the second involved the same two seniors plus another senior.

During the interrogations, the seniors also read a letter in which Zara expressed her desire to become a prefect.

“The witness testified that while these interrogations taken place inside a dorm room, there was a senior speaking to dorm members to ‘jangan tengok’ (don’t see), ‘jangan dengar’ (don’t hear), ‘jangan cuba tengok’ (don’t try to see), ‘jangan cuba dengar’ (don’t try to hear), ‘jangan pasang telinga’ (don’t eavesdrop) – those are the words said by the witness.

“This witness also said that cursing words were heard, and the witness became scared after being ordered not to see – the witness complied because scared of being scolded,” said Shahlan.

The counsel said the two interrogations lasted at least 20 minutes, while the reading of Zara’s letter took 10 to 20 minutes.

“The coroner also inquired the witness on how the situation was at that time, and the witness said it was intense, and when further inquired whether this always happened in the dormitory, the witness said yes, several times.

“The coroner further inquired which one was scariest, previous incidents or Zara incident, and the witness testified that Zara incident was the scariest – that’s what the witness felt,” said Shahlan.

The inquest resumes on January 26.