KUALA LUMPUR – The head warden of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha testified in the coroner’s court today that Zara Qairina Mahathir never lodged any complaints about her life at the school hostel prior to her tragic death.
Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, who also served as Zara’s Arabic teacher, described the events leading to the 16-year-old student’s untimely demise and outlined the steps he took after discovering her unconscious.
Azhari, who oversaw the Qurratu Ayun hostel where Zara stayed with 11 other students, said that, as both her Arabic teacher and the head warden, he had never received any indication from Zara that she was facing difficulties in the hostel.
“As her Arabic teacher and as the head warden, I never received any complaints from Zara regarding any problems she faced in the hostel,” said Azhari, according to a report in FMT.
Recalling the fateful night of July 16, Azhari described how he received a distress call from the school’s security guard, Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, at 3:04am, informing him of an incident involving Zara. Upon arriving at the scene, Azhari found Zara lying unconscious in a drain, still breathing but making a snoring-like sound.
“At that moment, five students and Linah were with me. I instructed them to move Zara to a flat and sheltered area, onto a cement surface,” he said.
As the students helped move Zara, Azhari noticed bloodstains around the drain and injuries on her ankle. Concerned, he immediately contacted emergency services at 3:17am, requesting medical assistance. Azhari also informed the assistant principal for student affairs and went to the principal’s home to alert her of the incident.
Despite his efforts, Azhari was unable to reach Zara’s parents, and he called the emergency number a second time at 3:47am. An ambulance arrived shortly before 4am, and Zara was rushed to the hospital.
Tragically, she passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 and was laid to rest the same day in Sipitang.
In response to Zara’s death, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered an exhumation of her body on August 8 for a post-mortem, leading to an inquest into the cause of her death on August 13. – September 17, 2025