Zara's post-mortem ends after 8 hours, family may seek inquest

Summary

• The post-mortem on Zara Qairina Mahathir’s remains concluded yesterday after eight hours.

• Counsel Shahlan Jufri says her family may seek an inquest if the findings point to foul play or the cause of death remains undetermined.

• Shahlan also confirms that the procedure was done transparently for the entire duration.

The post-mortem on 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir’s remains, who died on July 17, concluded yesterday after eight hours.

With that, her family lawyers indicated that the procedure could be a key step towards pursuing a formal inquest into investigating what caused her death last month.

The autopsy, conducted at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu, began at 11.40am and ended at about 7.30pm.

Following the procedure, Zara’s body was brought out at around 9.30pm before being reburied at 1.15am today at Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Mesapol, Sipitang - about 150km from Kota Kinabalu.

Touching on the matter, Zara’s family’s counsel Shahlan Jufri said they may seek an inquest if the findings point to foul play or the cause of death remains undetermined.

“I will discuss with the family and the legal team on what needs to be done next. Most likely, we will apply for an inquest.

“We have already lodged a police report because we suspect there is a criminal element, possibly involving bullying.

“But as this is still under investigation, I cannot go into detail now,” he told reporters before leaving the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I forensic building.

Throughout the day, sympathisers gathered at the hospital, braving intermittent late-afternoon rain that continued into the night.

Many had been there since the previous evening, when Zara’s remains arrived from Sipitang following the court-ordered exhumation. Sipitang MP Matbali Musa was also spotted among the crowd.

Zara, a Form One student, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I on July 17.

She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4am on July 16.

Following public uproar, the Attorney-General’s Chambers instructed the police to exhume her to allow a post-mortem to be carried out.

Police also seized several items, including Zara’s clothing, her diary, and a mobile phone belonging to her mother, Noraidah Lamat, which the family says contains an audio recording of Zara naming her alleged bully.

Post-mortem done transparently

Shahlan said he observed the procedure from inside the autopsy room with four pathologists for its entire duration, while two police officers were observing from an adjoining viewing area.

He also confirmed that the process was carried out with full transparency.

“It was conducted with utmost integrity. Only pathologists, police officers, and I were in the room, no VVIPs at all,” he stressed, debunking claims on social media that a prominent personality had entered the forensic building.

The speculation came about after a government vehicle bearing the plate number “SMJ15” was seen in the area around noon, fuelling rumours linking Zara’s death to members of Sabah’s elite.

The lawyer also pointed out that the autopsy report, once completed, will remain classified and can only be accessed via a court order, typically during an inquest.

Another counsel for the family, Hamid Ismail, said forensic specialist Dr Jessie Hiu and pathology consultant Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun led the post mortem, assisted by two additional personnel.

Hamid added that a specialist in Peninsular Malaysia will compare two CT scans - one before the initial burial and another on Saturday - as part of the investigation.

Rally for Zara

Despite authorities pursuing the case, sympathisers launched rallies over several days to demand justice over Zara’s death.

Yesterday, more than 3,000 people gathered in Labuan, with politicians setting aside political differences to join the rally.

The rally, held at the Labuan Food Court and coinciding with the Labuan Bike event, was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno supreme council member Rafi Ali Hassan.

Also present were leaders from PKR and Warisan.

On Aug 9, about 13,000 people held rallies at various locations in Sabah over Zara’s death.

Many were seen carrying placards reading “Keadilan Untuk Zara” (Justice for Zara) and “Hentikan Buli” (Stop Bullying) while chanting slogans.

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