By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: A mother told the Coroner's Court that she was not informed when her child was taken to the police station on several occasions following the incident involving the late Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The 62nd witness testified that her daughter, identified as Student A in the inquest, had been isolated from early morning on July 16 last year, from the time Zara Qairina was found unconscious at around 2.50am until 3pm.
She said she first learned about the incident through another parent.
"(My daughter) was taken to the Papar police station for questioning. The school made my child appear to be a shield for the warden, who should have been responsible for Zara Qairina. All background checks and explanations of Zara Qairina's behaviour were left to my daughter to explain to the police. While giving her statement, my daughter missed mealtime at the hostel dining hall and went hungry until night," she read from her witness statement before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
She added that her child was unable to buy food as the school canteen was closed at night, and that she had also lost her money in an alleged theft case at the school.
The 42-year-old housewife said her daughter was also withdrawn from a hockey tournament on the same day.
The witness further clarified that the school's former security guard, Linah Mansoding, known as Aunty Linah, had testified incorrectly by stating that the witness was present at the hostel on the night of July 17.
"I only called the warden, Cikgu Fatimah, to ask whether it was possible for us to take (our daughter out) that night, and the answer given was 'NOT ALLOWED'," she said, adding that she and her husband had earlier met their child around noon, when Student A appeared stiff and not her usual self.
She also said her family faced immense public pressure after her daughter's name and personal details were widely shared on social media.
Student A, who is one of five children charged in the alleged bullying of Zara, exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at the Luyang Health Clinic between July 21 and 24, and was issued three medical leave certificates by the Labuan Health Clinic in July and August.
The witness wept as she said her child continued to face public condemnation, with some even calling her a murderer.
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