No family ties between five students and VIPs or politicians, Zara inquest told

Kota Kinabalu - Police have disclosed that there are no family connections or any form of assistance from VIPs, VVIPs, or politicians for Students A, B, C, D, and E, according to the Coroner's Court. Inspector Wong Yew Zhung, the investigating officer, testified that his examination did not uncover any such relationships or actions that could have facilitated the students to avoid legal proceedings.

Fikry Jaafar Abdullah, the lawyer, asked whether VIPs, VVIPs, or politicians had any familial ties with the five students in his line of questioning. Wong responded affirmatively with a clear "No." Wong also clarified the meanings of VIP and VVIP, stating that while an influencer could fall under VIP, none had interfered with the proceedings or approached other witnesses in relation to the five students.

Zara Qairina Mahathir was discovered unconscious in her school hostel on July 16, 2025, and passed away the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her remains were disinterred on August 9, 2025, and a post-mortem examination was performed on August 10, 2025. Subsequently, the five minors, known as Students A, B, C, D, and E, were charged with insulting Zara in the Court for Children, with all five of them pleading not guilty.

The inquest commenced on September 3, 2025, with the aim of determining the cause and circumstances of Zara's death and assessing if any criminal involvement was implicated.