Mother might not know Zara Qairina's perception of her, expert says

 By Olivia Miwil

May 22, 2026 @ 3:03pm

Lawyer Joan Goh (Left) questioned consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Chua Sze Hung whether Zara Qairina had written in her diary about being scolded over handphone usage, where the teen questioned why her mother had beaten her over it. — NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KOTA KINABALU: Noraidah Lamat, the mother of Zara Qairina Mahathir may have had good intentions when disciplining her daughter but the girl may have perceived it negatively and experienced psychological pain, an expert told the Coroner's Court today.

Lawyer Joan Goh questioned consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Chua Sze Hung whether Zara Qairina had written in her diary about being scolded over handphone usage, where the teen questioned why her mother had beaten her over it.

Goh: This may have caused her to write, "She's really stupid, damn it, always hitting people's legs. I'm already grown up — do you still think I'm a little kid? So stupid. It's up to me if I want to look at my phone. Who are you to keep stopping me? Idiot!" Agree?

Dr Chua: It is possible.

Goh: Is it possible that her mother did not know how her daughter perceived her actions and intentions?

Dr Chua: It is very possible. Masking, conformity and internalisation are exceedingly common among adolescents with psychological distress. It is inherently elusive even to parents.

Goh: Unless her mother read her diaries?

Dr Chua: Yes.

Goh is representing one of the five children charged with insulting remarks against Zara Qairina.

The inquest will resume next month from June 22 to 26.