{
  "id": 6087867,
  "title": "Zara's father says he was never asked to consent to post-mortem",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/zaras-father-says-he-was-never-asked-to-consent-to-post-mortem",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T02:45:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1527332/zaras-father-says-he-was-never-asked-consent-post-mortem"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA KINABALU - Zara Qairina Mahathir's father testified in the Coroner's Court, stating he was never asked for consent regarding a post-mortem examination for his daughter. The 45-year-old Mahathir Mohd Hashim @ Marikin was the 80th witness and recounted the events surrounding his daughter's death on July 17, 2025. Upon arriving at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) on July 16, 2025, he saw Zara's mother and asked about his daughter's location. After being directed by her, he was allowed to visit her bedside by a nurse. The father described the critical condition of Zara, noting injuries to her brain, lungs, kidneys, and a broken leg. He also recalled feeling the back of her head was soft with an indentation and her left leg in a bandage. Zara was found unconscious at her school dormitory on July 16, 2025, and was pronounced dead at HQE the next day.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: The father of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir told the Coroner’s Court today that he was never asked whether he consented to a post-mortem on his daughter.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mahathir Mohd Hashim testified he was never asked for consent for Zara's post-mortem.",
    "Zara found unconscious at school dormitory on July 16, 2025.",
    "Pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This testimony raises questions about the hospital's adherence to standard procedures for obtaining consent from families of deceased patients, potentially impacting the family's trust in medical institutions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Zara Qairina’s father says he was never asked about post-mortem",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/zara-qairinas-father-says-he-was-never-asked-about-post-mortem",
        "published": "2026-09-07T05:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Inquest told father never consulted over Zara’s autopsy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/inquest-told-father-never-consulted-over-zaras-autopsy",
        "published": "2026-09-07T06:15:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}