Rabat:Coroner's Court The late Zara Qairina Mahathir had cautioned her mother against confronting senior students at her school hostel, fearing that it would lead to intensified bullying.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraidah Lamat, Zara's mother and the 81st witness in the inquest into her daughter's death, proposed a meeting with the hostel warden, security guard, senior students, and her daughter to address the issues raised by Zara. However, Zara opposed this idea, worried about retaliation from the senior students.

Noraidah recounted a conversation where Zara pleaded with her, saying, "Please don't do it, Mum. They might treat me even worse. They have a gang, a big gang, in the hostel." This was in response to questions from lawyer Joan Goh, representing one of the accused teenagers in the bullying case.

When questioned about her decision not to approach the school principal or warden, Noraidah explained that she maintained trust in the school administration due to its reputed status as a renowned religious school in Sabah, despite her daughter's reluctance.

Joan Goh highlighted that Zara's complaints were not isolated, to which Noraidah agreed. However, Noraidah had not anticipated that such serious bullying could lead to her daughter's death.

Zara Qairina passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after being found unconscious near a drain at her school dormitory. The inquest proceedings are set to continue this afternoon.