Unlikely Zara had 34 vape devices, court told

 By Olivia Miwil

July 17, 2026 @ 12:03pm

A file pic showing the Kota Kinabalu Courts Complex. - NSTP FILE PIC

KOTA KINABALU: It is unlikely for a student to possess 34 vape devices, consultant psychiatrist Dr Wong Haw Huo told the Coroner's court in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Conducting officer Mohd Fairuz Johari examined the 75th witness about a diary entry by Zara Qairina, where she wrote she had 34 vape devices, had given away 20 of them and thrown the remaining 14 into the sea.

He asked whether it was normal for a student or adolescent to have 34 vape devices.

"Of course, it's not normal. It is unlikely for a student to possess as many as 34 vape devices.

"That is why, when we read what she wrote in the diary, we needed to verify what she actually meant," Dr Wong testified on the 83rd day of the inquest.

The 39-year-old witness said merely possessing a substance did not mean a person had used it.

"Unless we carry out an objective assessment, such as urine toxicology, to confirm the presence of substances, we cannot conclude that the person used them.

"Urine toxicology can detect substances such as methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, morphine, cannabis or THC.

"Simply saying, 'I am holding a vape, does not mean I use it' unless there are witnesses who saw the deceased using the vape regularly."

When asked whether using e-cigarettes containing illegal substances could increase the risk of suicidal behaviour, Dr Wong said it was possible.

He cited his case involving a young adult who used a vape containing hallucinogenic substances, which increased the risk of psychosis or a temporary dissociative state that could impair judgment.

He said such conditions could lead to impulsive behaviour, self-harm, violence towards others, or other forms of disorganised behaviour.

"But the basic principle in medical practice is that we must ask how frequently the person used the vape and what the vape contained.

"It does not mean that if someone uses a vape, that person is suicidal. It is not that simple."

Dr Wong also said adolescents who were not exposed to smoking at home could learn about vaping through social media or take it up to have a common interest with their peers.

He added that this was partly because the prefrontal cortex, which governs judgment and impulse control, is not yet fully developed during adolescence.

The inquest will resume at 2.30pm.