‘A happy family?’: Zara Qairina’s stepsister says she never met teen, but regularly viewed photos on social media

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — Malianah Mahathir, the stepsister of late Zara Qairina Mahathir, testified in the Coroner’s Court that she never resided with the teenager and had no direct knowledge of how Zara Qairina's mother raised her. The 25-year-old provided the court with information about Zara Qairina's life and family primarily through social media posts and details shared by her father.

When questioned by lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina's mother, Malianah admitted to seeing photographs of the family on Facebook but reiterated she had never met Zara Qairina in person. All her knowledge about the teenager came from others. She confirmed that her father frequently uploaded family photos, including Zara Qairina as a baby and holiday pictures.

Malianah admitted that she had not experienced any unpleasant encounters with Zara Qairina's mother, but her testimony related to the mother's alleged mistreatment. When asked if Zara Qairina's mother treated her badly, Malianah responded, "Ah, no." The inquest proceedings are set to continue with further witnesses.