Zara Qairina feared worse bullying if mother confronted seniors, inquest told

Kota Kinabalu, October 9 — Late Zara Qairina Mahathir's mother, Noraidah Lamat, recounted in her testimony at the inquest into her daughter’s death how she had once discouraged her from confronting senior students at the school hostel. Fearing that such an act would only lead to further bullying, Zara had opposed her mother's suggestion of a meeting with the hostel warden, security guard, senior students, and herself to discuss the issues raised by her daughter.

Noraidah explained that her daughter was concerned about a powerful gang of seniors in the hostel who might make her suffer even worse consequences if she confronted them. The lawyer representing one of the accused teenagers, Joan Goh, questioned Noraidah about the steps she took after receiving her daughter’s complaints. Despite her daughter’s reluctance to involve the school administration, Noraidah still trusted the school due to its reputation as a renowned and religious institution in Sabah.

However, when confronted with the repeated complaints, Noraidah admitted she had never envisioned a situation where her daughter’s death could result from severe bullying. Zara Qairina tragically passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, the day after being found unconscious near a drain in her school dormitory. The inquest proceedings will continue later that day.