KUALA LUMPUR – The Coroner’s Court is seeking guidance from Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar on whether media will be allowed to cover the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, as child witnesses have begun testifying.
Sabah prosecution director Nahra Dollah told Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan today that she would obtain instructions from the Attorney-General after the court raised the question of media presence, given the case’s high public interest.
Since Monday, reporters have been barred from the courtroom during in-camera testimony by minors to safeguard their identities. Two student witnesses have taken the stand so far, with another 33 expected in the coming sessions.
Under Evidence of Child Witness Act 2017, publishing any details that could identify minors is a criminal offence.
The inquest has already heard from eight adult witnesses, with 25 more scheduled to testify.
Zara Qairina died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu after being found unconscious near a school hostel drain in Papar. She was buried the same day in Sipitang.
Her remains were exhumed on August 8 on the orders of the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a post-mortem.
On August 13, authorities confirmed that an inquest would be convened to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. — September 24, 2025