Lawyers seek expert assessment of Zara Qairina’s mental state before fall, inquest hears

Lawyers seek expert assessment of Zara Qairina’s mental state before fall, inquest hears



Shahlan (right) and Ram (left) at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex.

Friday, 12 Sep 2025 8:38 AM MYT


KOTA KINABALU, Sept 12 — Lawyers in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir have urged the court to engage psychological and psychiatric experts to assess the teenager’s mental state at the time of her fall from a boarding school dormitory in July.

During proceedings, Shahlan Jufi, representing Zara Qairina’s mother, informed the court that an independent psychologist from Kuala Lumpur is scheduled to arrive in Kota Kinabalu next week to begin profiling the deceased.

“They want to interview Zara Qairina’s mother, classmates from primary school, the religious school and teachers, as well as review her personal diaries and other materials already presented in court. The expert wants to profile Zara Qairina to determine her mental state,” Shahlan said.

He added that the identity of the expert could not be disclosed in order to safeguard their privacy.


“But you will meet them next week,” he said.


Datuk Ram Singh, acting for one of Zara Qairina’s schoolmates accused of bullying, also urged the Coroner’s Court to obtain psychiatric expertise.

He requested that a government forensic psychiatrist be called to examine the documents already admitted as exhibits.


“At three o’clock in the morning, in a boarding school — what was the mental state for her to fall? That is our concern,” he told reporters.

“The coroner has taken note of it and kept the matter in abeyance, which to me is a good response.”

Ram further said that while lawyers are limited to presenting evidence, only qualified experts can provide the necessary scientific perspective on Zara Qairina’s psychological condition.

“A proper and truthful finding of facts must be made. The coroner must not guess — this is the purpose of an inquest,” he said.

Thirteen-year-old Zara Qairina was discovered unconscious on the ground floor of her dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar in the early hours of July 16.

Medical experts later confirmed that she died from traumatic brain injury consistent with a fall from height.