{
  "id": 3417958,
  "title": "Inquest into Zara Qairina's death briefly halted after tense exchange",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/inquest-into-zara-qairinas-death-briefly-halted-after-tense-exchange",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T03:58:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1518951/inquest-zara-qairinas-death-briefly-halted-after-tense-exchange"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir saw proceedings briefly halted for over 30 minutes due to a tense exchange. During questioning by lawyer Datuk Ram Singh, consultant psychiatrist Dr Wong Haw Huo became agitated, leading to an objection from lawyer Datuk Ridzwandean Bukhary M. Borhan. Ram argued that other experts had also been questioned harshly, urging the court to be fair. The coroner, Amir Shah Amir Hassan, left the courtroom, apologizing for his outburst as it was the first time in his 21 years on the bench. The inquest resumed after both lawyers apologized to the court.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: Proceedings at the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir were paused for more than 30 minutes after coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan left the courtroom following a tense exchange.",
  "key_points": [
    "Inquest into Zara Qairina's death halted for 30+ minutes",
    "Dr Wong Haw Huo agitated, lawyer Datuk Ridzwandean Bukhary objects",
    "Coroner Amir Shah apologized for first time in 21-year career"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The tense exchange between lawyers and a psychiatrist at the inquest highlights the emotionally charged nature of the proceedings and the challenges of balancing aggressive questioning with fairness.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Zara Qairina Inquest: Coroner walks out as crucial psychiatric evidence takes centre stage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/zara-qairina-inquest-coroner-walks-out-as-crucial-psychiatric",
        "published": "2026-08-26T05:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zara inquest paused after coroner walks out over clash with counsel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/zara-inquest-paused-after-coroner-walks-out-over-clash-with-counsel",
        "published": "2026-08-26T05:56:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "'Am I not fair enough?': Tense moment as coroner walks out of Zara inquest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/am-i-not-fair-enough-tense-moment-as-coroner-walks-out-of-zara-inquest",
        "published": "2026-08-26T06:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}