Zara inquest: Forensic psychiatrist stands by suicide conclusion

KOTA KINABALU - Forensic psychiatrist Dr Chua Sze Hung has maintained his conclusion that Zara Qairina Mahathir's death was most likely a suicide, despite the Coroner's Court retaining the final authority on the matter. During his recent testimony, Dr Chua reiterated that his expert opinion was based on the balance of probability.

The inquest into Zara's death, which commenced on September 3, 2025, has already heard from various witnesses, including students, teachers, police officers, forensic pathologists, psychiatrists, and forensic document examiners. Dr Chua was called as a witness to testify after Dr Simon Wong, an expert witness representing Zara's mother, concluded his testimony.

Both Dr Chua and Dr Wong agreed that the interrogation at A-3-6 served as the direct triggering factor for Zara's suicide. Dr Chua also stated that Dr Wong's assessment, while primarily a clinical psychiatric evaluation, did support his own findings. Zara, a 13-year-old student, was discovered unconscious on the ground floor of her school hostel on July 16, 2025, and passed away the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.