A lawyer for one of the student witnesses in an ongoing inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir has lodged a police report over personal details allegedly leaked and spread on social media.

According to Sinar Harian, lawyer Ram Singh filed the report at the Luyang police station at 4.14pm yesterday.

During the earlier inquest proceedings, Ram was reportedly informed that the student witness’s statement, which was supposed to be recorded at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court, had been circulated online and widely shared via WhatsApp.

“The disclosure contained the personal details of the witness, including their full name, home address and identification number.

“In addition, a video on TikTok also displayed the names of all five children accused in this case,” Ram (above) was quoted as saying in the report.

Ram said the leak had caused fear and emotional distress to the witness.

“I personally met the witness and her mother this morning and they were in a state of trauma and crying because of the disclosure.

“I believe this action violates laws related to the protection of witnesses and children, particularly under the Child Act 2001 and other provisions relating to the confidentiality of court proceedings,” he said.

Protect inquest integrity

He added that the report was made to allow police to investigate the leak of confidential information.

“Identify those responsible and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of this inquest from being further compromised,” he said.

Yesterday, proceedings at the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court were adjourned at 11am after the testimony of the eighth witness, SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha hostel chief warden Azhari Abd Sagap, 31.

Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, who is presiding over the inquest, expressed disappointment after being informed that the statement of the first teenage witness had been circulated on social media.

Zara was found unconscious under the dormitory building of a religious school on July 16 and was pronounced dead the following day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

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