KOTA KINABALU, Oct 7 —The mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir testified at the Coroner’s Court today that she was the teenager’s principal confidante, to whom her daughter confided her troubles, joys, sorrows and matters concerning her friendships.

Noraidah Lamat, 46, the 82nd witness, testified that their bond was especially close and that she was not only a mother but also a friend to her only child.

“My relationship with Zara Qairina was indeed close. I was both her mother and friend. Whatever the matter, be it difficulties at school or amusing incidents, we would share everything,” she said during the inquest proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

She said no one else in the household was a confidante for Zara Qairina, and accordingly, her daughter shared all her joys, sorrows and friendship matters with her.

During questioning by her counsel, Shahlan Jufri, Noraidah testified that she had attended to almost all of Zara Qairina’s needs since childhood, including preparing for school, clothing, religious school, homework and school-related affairs.

She testified that this was because Zara Qairina’s father, Mahathir Mohd Hashim @ Marikan, worked in Sipitang and was seldom at home, so she had to manage their child’s care, schooling, expenses, and welfare. 

She stated that their close relationship also enabled her to discern shifts in Zara Qairina’s emotional state through what her daughter told her about her friendships, including occasions when the girl faced taunting.

Throughout Zara Qairina’s years in primary school, Noraidah testified that she had never observed her daughter suffering any serious emotional or behavioural difficulties.

She said when Zara Qairina was sad or disappointed, it usually related to a falling-out with a friend or to some incident in her daily life.

In such circumstances, Noraidah said she would offer words of encouragement and remind Zara Qairina that there are still opportunities for self-improvement.

Noraidah further testified that Zara Qairina had, from the outset, been eager to stay in the hostel, wishing to experience independent living and to have companions as well as senior students whom she could regard as elder sisters.

She said Zara Qairina was excited upon receiving the offer of admission to the boarding school, and that they had made preparations together, including buying clothes and other necessities.

The day she sent Zara Qairina to the hostel on Feb 18, 2025, was also the first time Noraidah had been apart from her only child. 

Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after the Form One student was found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel at 4 am.

The inquest proceedings resume later this afternoon. — Bernama