KOTA KINABALU: Six junior students conducted a spot check of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir's belongings while she was questioned by seniors in another room about some stolen items.
A witness who took part in the search told Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that the group had suspected Zara of stealing a bank card belonging to another junior student.
They had suspected Zara Qairina even before she was called by seniors to another dorm unit at about 10pm on July 15, 2025, at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha.
A few juniors stood guard at the dorm door to monitor Zara Qairina's movements.
"While Zara was in the neighbouring dorm, the witness and other dormmates conducted a spot check on her bag, locker and trousers.
"The witness said she first checked Zara's locker but found nothing.
"Three other juniors then checked Zara's bag, and one later inspected her trouser pockets. During the search, two small Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) pins were found — one in the bag and another in the trouser pocket," lawyers representing Zara Qairina's family said.
The 26th child witness also testified that after the search, one junior found a torn letter on Zara Qairina's bed.
The letter, believed to be a personal note written by Zara Qairina, had been torn from an exercise book. Its contents, however, were unknown.
Meanwhile, the 27th child witness said Zara Qairina's bag and locker were not locked during the search.
"A sheet of paper that looked like a letter was also found in Zara Qairina's bag. It was handed over to a senior, who then read it aloud.
"The witness was unsure of the letter's full contents but was told it appeared to be a personal note."
The witness added that on the afternoon of July 15, Zara Qairina had been avoided and ignored by her friends.
Zara, 13, was found unconscious at her school dormitory around 3am on July 16 and was pronounced dead a day later at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The inquest will resume next Wednesday.
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