“I was both her mother and friend,” Zara Qairina’s mother testifies

On October 7, the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir testified at the Coroner’s Court that she was the teenager’s closest confidante, serving as both her mother and friend. Noraidah Lamat, 46, the 82nd witness, stated that their bond was exceptionally strong, and she was not only a mother but also a friend to her only child.

According to Noraidah, their relationship was such that she shared all her daughter’s experiences, whether they were challenges at school or enjoyable moments. She testified that no one else in their household acted as Zara Qairina’s confidante, and she was responsible for attending to all her daughter’s needs since childhood. This included tasks such as preparing for school, buying clothes, attending religious school, completing homework, and managing school-related affairs.

Noraidah emphasized that Zara Qairina’s father, Mahathir Mohd Hashim @ Marikan, was often away working in Sipitang, making the mother the primary caregiver. The close relationship between mother and daughter allowed Noraidah to easily notice changes in Zara Qairina’s emotional state, especially through conversations about her friendships, including instances of bullying.

Throughout Zara Qairina’s time in primary school, Noraidah claimed she never witnessed any significant emotional or behavioral issues. When the teenager experienced sadness or disappointment, it was usually due to a falling-out with a friend or a minor incident in her daily life. In such situations, Noraidah provided words of encouragement and reassured her daughter that there were still opportunities for self-improvement.

Notably, Zara Qairina had always been eager to live in the hostel, hoping to experience independent living and to have companions and older students to confide in. Zara Qairina was thrilled when she received the offer to attend the boarding school, and she and her mother prepared together, purchasing clothes and other necessary items.

The day Zara Qairina left for the hostel on February 18, 2025, marked the first time Noraidah was separated from her sole child. Tragically, Zara Qairina passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel around 4 am. The inquest proceedings are set to continue later in the day.