KOTA KINABALU (Sept 17): The Coroner’s Court was told today that 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir was last seen by other students in distress after being accused of stealing.
According to head warden Azhari Abdul Sagap, written statements from students said Zara Qairina was confronted by those from a neighbouring dorm over allegedly stolen items, which she denied.
Azhari testified that during the confrontation, some students were said to have searched her bag and locker and claimed to have found a Malaysian flag pin belonging to the dormitory leader.
“They confronted her and she swore that she did not [steal]. That’s when some harsh words were uttered by Zara’s dorm leader. That’s what the students said. That’s all that was written,” said Azhari.
“From the investigation, she left the room crying and screamed ‘I did not steal, stupid’ as she went to the toilet.”
“That’s the last she was seen, at the toilet, before she was found on the ground floor,” he added.
The eighth witness called in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, also said that he had initially moved her body because he did not notice any injuries and intended to take her to the hospital.
Azhari said he arrived at the scene at about 3.13am and saw Zara Qairina lying unconscious near a drain, before instructing four students to carry her to his car.
“Only once she was carried did I notice her injury on her left ankle. I also saw blood on the edge of the drain where her head was.
“The intention was to take her to the hospital in my own car but we didn’t because we struggled to carry her body,” he said.
Conducting officer Mohd Fairuz Johari then asked why he had not left her there until medical authorities arrived.
“As I mentioned, I didn’t see any injuries when I arrived. And when I saw the injuries on her leg, then I said, don’t touch there,” Azhari replied.
When asked how far Zara had been moved, Azhari estimated it was about 20 metres.
Azhari further said that he had intended to bring Zara to the hospital himself, but ultimately decided not to do so.
“We didn’t [bring Zara to the hospital]because the students and I struggled to carry her to beside the warden’s house. We didn’t put [her]just anywhere, we placed her somewhere sheltered, and level, and lined it with sarong and we were careful. It was also shielded from the other student’s view,” he said.
Mohd Fairuz asked why Zara was not placed near the sick bay, which was closer, to which Azhari replied that he had intended to do so but “struggled”.
“I was in trauma just from looking at her, and if I put in the sick bay room, they will also face trauma.
“At the time, the ketua pelajar (student leader) was staying there with three other students,” he said.
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