In a joint statement, the lawyers—Noraidah binti Lamat, Shahlan bin Jufri, Rizwandean bin M Borhan, Mohd Syarulnizam bin Mohd Salleh, Mohd Luqman Syazwan bin Zabidi, Farrah binti Nasser, and Elhanan James—summarized testimony of a teacher in the Guidance & Counseling Unit and dormitory warden at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha.
The counselor Mizmawati told the court that she had known Zara since March 2022, when the student was a Form 1 pupil residing in the school dormitory.
On 17 July 2025, a day after Zara was found unconscious at the school. the counselor, together with another teacher and two Form 4 students, helped pack Zara’s belongings and found a brown diary and an exercise book said to belong to her.
“I admit I read both books but it was a reading that was ‘not thorough.
“From this reading, I made an assumption that Zara had family problems. I agree that the assumption is like what was circulated on social media before the inquest. No one instructed me to read the books or make any assumptions.”
She handed the books to fellow teacher on the same morning, noting, “I know the books were for Head Warden Ustaz Azhari, but I do not know when or where Ms. Yuslina handed them over.” She informed the dormitory management WhatsApp group about the discovery, but admitted she did not notify Zara’s mother and was unsure if other teachers did.
On 19 July 2025, Ms. Miswati discovered 15 handwritten sheets in Zara’s classroom, which she suspected belonged to her because the handwriting resembled that in the diary. She handed the sheets to another teacher for follow-up.
The legal team highlighted Ms. Miswati’s account of an internal investigation on 16 July 2025, where senior students who were among the last to see Zara were questioned.
She handed the books to fellow teacher on the same morning, noting, “I know the books were for Head Warden Ustaz Azhari, but I do not know when or where Ms. Yuslina handed them over.” She informed the dormitory management WhatsApp group about the discovery, but admitted she did not notify Zara’s mother and was unsure if other teachers did.
On 19 July 2025, Ms. Miswati discovered 15 handwritten sheets in Zara’s classroom, which she suspected belonged to her because the handwriting resembled that in the diary. She handed the sheets to another teacher for follow-up.
The legal team highlighted Ms. Miswati’s account of an internal investigation on 16 July 2025, where senior students who were among the last to see Zara were questioned.
A junior student admitted using words such as “Bodoh” and “Sial,” which could have affected Zara’s emotions, while other senior students denied using inappropriate language.
She said she only met Zara twice in group counseling sessions in March 2025, which were prompted by complaints from other students.
During the first session on 5 March, a junior student reportedly said another student “forgot friends” after befriending Zara. Zara explained she was “just being friendly with the junior student.”
During the first session on 5 March, a junior student reportedly said another student “forgot friends” after befriending Zara. Zara explained she was “just being friendly with the junior student.”
In the second session on 14 March, a junior student complained about inappropriate behavior towards Zara, which the witness said “was merely perception and a joke by the accused junior student.”
The witness also described the counseling sessions as covering “self-understanding, emotional management, and conflict resolution.”
The witness also described the counseling sessions as covering “self-understanding, emotional management, and conflict resolution.”
She and the Discipline Unit prepared a “One Page Report” dated 14 March 2025.
Ms. Miswati also said, “Apart from two counseling sessions, I never received any complaint related to bullying or pressure from Zara or her parents.”
She described Zara as “a normal student who just liked to make friends” and explained that restricting public phone access was meant to prevent students from giving parents inaccurate information.
The legal team emphasized that Zara’s tragic death occurred “beyond the control” of the wardens, who were responsible for supervision, and that students could still act without detection. Ms. Miswati denied sharing diary contents on social media and said she did not know how the books’ contents became public. She noted that during counseling, Zara “did not show signs of depression and sadness.”
The inquest proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. The legal team reminded the public and media to avoid speculation or comments that could be considered sub judice.
The legal team emphasized that Zara’s tragic death occurred “beyond the control” of the wardens, who were responsible for supervision, and that students could still act without detection. Ms. Miswati denied sharing diary contents on social media and said she did not know how the books’ contents became public. She noted that during counseling, Zara “did not show signs of depression and sadness.”
The inquest proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. The legal team reminded the public and media to avoid speculation or comments that could be considered sub judice.
Comments
Post a Comment