KOTA KINABALU: A child deponent told the Coroner’s Court that in mid-May 2025, Zara Qairina Mahathir was mocked with the word “getek” (flirty) while passing a senior students’ academic classroom.
Counsel Rizwandean M Borhan, briefing the media on Monday, said the 59th deponent testified that Zara was afraid to pass the classroom when accompanying her to the upper-floor academic block, explaining that seniors were heard saying “getek” and that she had previously been falsely accused by senior students.
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Rizwandean said the 59th and 69th deponents also testified that Zara was scolded and yelled at by senior students during questioning over a theft allegation, with eyewitnesses saying the words “bodoh” and “sial” were used and the shouting could be heard downstairs.
He said the deponents testified they were frightened and traumatised, had since moved to new schools, were told to keep quiet during the questioning, and that one senior allegedly threw a Malaysian flag pin at Zara while accusing her of taking a friend’s wallet, which she denied and swore she did not take.
Rizwandean said the 60th deponent testified that five senior students had scolded Zara but described her as helpful, kind, respectful and polite, recounting that Zara often helped others by topping up money at the canteen and greeted seniors with a bow.
