‘Ma, I love you… Bye Raa’: Zara Qairina’s tender voice echoes in court as mother breaks down

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 8 — The emotional inquest at the Coroner's Court today featured the tender voice of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, who affectionately spoke to her mother prior to her passing. The victim's mother, Noraidah Lamat, 46, appeared visibly distressed as she listened to a recording of their conversation in the courtroom.

As the 81st witness in the proceedings, Noraidah shared how they regularly communicated, whether through phone calls or in person, with Zara Qairina always expressing her love and respect for her mother. The inquest heard 42 audio recordings, 35 of which captured the intimate conversations between the mother and daughter before Zara's tragic death on July 17, 2025.

Zara's cheerful and affectionate demeanor was evident throughout the recordings, with one instance where she said, "Ma, I love you... Bye Raa...". The recordings, which Noraidah kept on her laptop, provided a window into their daily interactions, covering topics such as school activities, test results, hostel life, friendships, and concerns about her mother's whereabouts.