The post-mortem on 13-year-old religious school student Zara Qairina Mahathir is being carried out by four pathologists, one of whom is a forensic consultant from Peninsular Malaysia.
Lawyer Hamid Ismail clarified that despite earlier reports suggesting the procedure began at 11am, it was delayed to await the arrival of Dr Khairul Anuar Zainun from Sultan Idris Shah Hospital. Dr Khairul arrived at 10.55am, greeted by applause from hundreds who had gathered outside the hospital since 7am.
The other three pathologists are from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including Dr Jessie Hiu.
When asked why an external expert was brought in, Hamid said police wanted to ensure full transparency and fairness in the investigation. “They brought in a specialist from the peninsula to counter any negative allegations,” he said.
Dr Hiu briefed Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, on the procedure, which may take four to five hours. Upon completion, Dr Hiu will update the family on the findings before the body is transported back to Sipitang for reburial.
Zara’s body arrived at the hospital at 10.30pm yesterday after being exhumed from the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Sipitang at 7.30pm. It underwent a CT scan at the Radiology Department before being moved to the Medical Forensics Department.
Noraidah had earlier requested the exhumation to seek answers and justice. On Monday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers confirmed receiving the full preliminary investigation report on August 4 and returning it to police for further action.
Zara, a Form One student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, was found unconscious in a drain at around 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her dormitory. She later died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. On July 31, Sabah Police Commissioner Jauteh Dikun said bullying had not been ruled out.
