{
  "id": 14871842,
  "title": "Zara inquest funds audited, says lawyer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zara-inquest-funds-audited-says-lawyer",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T04:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1556709/zara-inquest-funds-audited-says-lawyer"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "An inquest lawyer has confirmed that the funds raised for the investigation into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir were audited in April last year, with the total amount collected confirmed to be just over RM200,000, not exceeding RM1 million. The lawyer, Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, stated that an independent accountant was appointed to ensure the funds were used solely for the inquest and not for other purposes. Marhamah Rosli, a deputy minister, had previously denied that the fund account was fully segregated, raising questions about the funds' management. Shahlan's team is handling the 96-day inquest on a pro bono basis, with no legal fees incurred.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Court sets Jan 15 for Zara Qairina inquest verdict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/court-sets-jan-15-for-zara-qairina-inquest-verdict",
        "published": "2026-10-16T02:22:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Court to decide on inquest into Zara’s death on Jan 15",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/court-to-decide-on-inquest-into-zaras-death-on-jan-15",
        "published": "2026-10-16T02:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Coroner’s Court sets Jan 15, 2027 for verdict in Zara Qairina inquest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/coroners-court-sets-jan-15-2027-for-verdict-in-zara-qairina-inquest",
        "published": "2026-10-16T03:42:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}