By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Two witnesses said they heard the late Zara Qairina Mahathir expressing intentions of self-harm at the inquest into her death here today.
Lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, who is representing one of the children allegedly linked to Zara Qairina's death, said two students had testified that they heard the victim asking morbid questions.
"Two witnesses said they were told more than 10 times things like, 'If I were to jump from here, would anyone still love me… or how would it feel?'" he told the media in an update on the testimonies of three child witnesses since Monday.
Azhier also noted that although the Coroner's Court had yet to confirm diary entries belonging to Zara Qairina, a second child witness had testified that she could recognise her handwriting in the entries shown to her.
"In those entries, the writer complained: 'Ya Allah, kenapa aku dibenci?' (Oh God, why do people despise me?) and 'Kenapa aku tidak disukai oleh orang?' (Why am I not liked by others?)
"When we asked them whether the contents of entries were raised by Zara to them, they said yes."
He further told the media that the first child witness had testified that there seemed to be friction between Zara and her mother two days before the 13-year-old was found unconscious near her school dormitory.
The witness said she had stayed overnight at Zara Qairina's home in Sipitang, near here, and both of them returned to school on July 13.
"Both were sent back by Zara's mother. According to the witness, there was an incident where Zara was scolded by her mother.
"That is why, when giving 'salam' to her mother after arriving at school, Zara did not seem to do it sincerely," Azhier said.
Azhier added that despite the testimonies of the three child witnesses, the conclusion on Zara Qairina's death still could not be made as there were more witnesses to testify.
The inquest will resume tomorrow with another two child witnesses.
If you need someone to talk to, here's a list of helplines:
Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service
Tel: 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392
Talian Kasih
Tel: 15999 or Whatsapp 019-2615999
Befrienders KL
Tel: 03-7627 2929
Website: www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia
Talian Buddy Bear (For children, toll-free, 6pm-12am)
Tel: 1800-18-BEAR or 1800-18-2327
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