KOTA KINABALU: The late Zara Qairina Mahathir was fearful of seniors at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha prior to the incident in which she was found unconscious on July 16 last year, a witness said during her inquest.
Lawyer Rizwandean M. Borhan said Zara Qairina had told the 59th witness that she had previously been slandered by seniors, who allegedly accused her of saying things behind their backs, even though she had never done so.
The witness, a child, testified that in May last year she had asked Zara Qairina to accompany her to the school's academic block, which required passing areas near senior students' rooms.
"When she asked Zara to go with her, Zara said she was afraid. However, in the end, she still went with her.
"When they went upstairs, they heard a senior say 'getek' (flirtatious). Zara then immediately told the witness, 'See, that's what I told you,'" he said.
"That was why the witness said Zara was initially afraid to go up with her,"Rizwandean added, noting that the witness also testified she had experienced a similar incident of being slandered in another case.
As for the 60th witness, also a child, Rizwandean said she testified about the incident on the night of July 15 when Zara was called by seniors, describing her as a cheerful and generous person.
He said the witness recalled that Zara Qairina had helped her top up money when they went to the canteen.
"After that, Zara said, 'It's okay, no need to pay me back. I'll add the money for you, but you don't have to repay it.'
"She also said that Zara liked to greet people and was someone who showed respect to seniors.
"When asked what she meant by being respectful, she explained that whenever Zara passed by seniors, she would lower her head slightly and greet them," Rizwandean said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Joan Goh said a child witness will be recalled tomorrow after it was revealed that she had handed a plastic bag containing a keychain and some notes to a teacher.
The Coroner's Court learned of this development after recalled former chief warden Azhari Abd Sagap testified about the handover last week.
"We want to know why she handed those items over, as the teacher stated that she did not want to keep anything belonging to Zara.
"We want the child to testify as to why she returned those items. One of them, I believe, was an avocado keychain," Goh said.
Rizwandean represents Zara Qairina's family members, while Goh's client is one of five students charged in the bullying case against the 13-year-old girl.
The inquest, which entered its 56th day today, began on Sept 3 last year after Zara Qairina was pronounced dead on 17 July.
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