Witness statement strengthens conclusion on Zara's manner of death

 By Olivia Miwil

April 2, 2026 @ 4:11pm

KOTA KINABALU: A witness statement from a student has strengthened a consultant forensic psychiatrist's conclusion on the manner of death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Dr Chua Sze Hung, the 67th witness in Zara's inquest, was requested during proceedings to read the statement of the 65th child witness, believed to be the last person to have interacted with Zara on July 16.

Deputy public prosecutor and coordinating officer Mohd Fairuz Johari had earlier asked the expert whether the 65th child witness was among the 40 individuals he interviewed for the psychological autopsy report.

However, Dr Chua said the student was not among his interviewees.

After about five minutes of reading the statement, Dr Chua said he maintained his conclusion that the manner of death was suicide.

"The information brings us closer and provides more details of the deceased's mental state leading to the incident.

"In my opinion, a 13-year-old adolescent without intellectual impairment would have understood that 'terjun' would result in certain death," he said, adding that the 65th child witness had also indirectly indicated that the action would lead to death.

Mohd Fairuz also sought clarification on Dr Chua's earlier statements dismissing the possibility that Zara had been physically pushed.

Dr Chua said that upon completing the psychological autopsy, it was clear there were significant predisposing and precipitating factors for suicide.

"I did not come across any information suggesting that the deceased had been pushed.

"I also referred to the forensic pathologist's report, which stated that it was unlikely the deceased had accidentally fallen or been pushed."

The expert added that as the assessment was retrospective and conservative, he did not have the opportunity to interview the deceased.

"Hence, it would be unfair for me to make a diagnosis without sufficient information to meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental illness."

Zara, 13, was found unconscious on July 16 last year on the ground floor of the SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha dormitory and was pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The inquest will resume in the afternoon.