Kota kinabalu: A psychiatric assessment of Zara Qairina Mahathir's mother was crucial in gaining a fuller understanding of the communication, emotional bond, and parenting dynamics between mother and daughter, the Coroner's Court was told today. Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Wong Haw Huo emphasized the importance of evaluating the mother, Noraidah Lamat, to uncover significant insights into their relationship and the support system available to the teenager.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Wong highlighted that without assessing Noraidah, critical information regarding their communication style and emotional connection would be missing. During the inquest before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan, Dr. Wong stated that understanding whether Noraidah had the capacity to provide guidance and structured emotional support was essential for evaluating Zara Qairina's support system.
Dr. Wong responded to counsel Shahlan Jufri, representing Noraidah, by explaining that children and adolescents require secure attachment figures while undergoing physical and emotional development. He noted that each family's unique parenting approach necessitates a careful assessment to avoid biases.
Dr. Wong's psychiatric evaluation revealed Noraidah as initially composed, trying to maintain emotional resilience despite her daughter's loss. Her difficult upbringing and experiences of hardship were discussed, offering clinicians insights into her parenting style and the relationship with Zara Qairina. These experiences seemed to influence her methods of encouraging resilience and independence in her daughter.
The court heard that Noraidah became emotional only towards the end of the interview session. 'Towards the final part of the interview, Zara's mother cried for the first time, repeatedly apologizing and expressing how much she missed her daughter,' Dr. Wong recounted. This reaction suggested a tendency to suppress emotions as a coping mechanism from past hardships.
Dr. Wong confirmed that findings from the interview, supported by audio recordings, videos, and written documents, reflected a consistent pattern of care and involvement in Noraidah's relationship with her daughter. Their relationship demonstrated trust, with frequent communication, shared daily experiences, and light-hearted moments.
Furthermore, Dr. Wong testified that both Zara Qairina and Noraidah appeared to practice faith-based coping mechanisms and shared values centered on perseverance and endurance.
Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory. The Attorney General's Chambers ordered the exhumation of her remains for a post-mortem examination on August 8, before announcing a formal inquest into her death on August 13. The inquest continues on July 13.