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Kota Kinabalu: A consultant forensic psychiatrist told the Coroner’s Court on Thursday that a confrontation in a dorm involving Zara Qairina Mahathir and her seniors was a triggering and precipitating factor on the night before she was found unconscious on the grounds of SMKA Tun Mustapha’s hostel.

Dr Chua Sze Hung, 43, attached to Bukit Padang Hospital since 2022, said it was unlikely the incident would have occurred at that particular time without the confrontation.

The 67th deponent, testifying before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, said the incident might have occurred at another time under different destabilising circumstances but was unlikely on that specific night without the dorm incident.

He further told the court that Zara’s coping mechanisms included seeking support and interaction with peers, writing a diary and, to some extent, non-suicidal self-injury.

Proceedings continued.