Family lawyer confirms injuries found on Zara Qairina’s body

KOTA KINABALU - The lawyer representing the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has confirmed that the 13-year-old’s body bore injuries consistent with details circulating on social media.

After observing the post-mortem for eight hours at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, lawyer Shahlan Jufri said he personally witnessed every step undertaken by the forensic team.

“Of course there are injuries, there are definitely injuries. The injuries are as you know from social media, that is how they are. Beyond that, I cannot reveal more as it is still under investigation and it is confidential.

“As what has been mentioned in the media. I do not quite remember the number of injuries, but there are indeed fractures, there are indeed injuries. I am satisfied with the process, because there was no interference from any party, only those involved were present.

“I just want to say, the post-mortem process was conducted transparently, with very high integrity and smoothly,” he said when met on Sunday night.

Zara Qairina was reported to have fallen from the third floor of a religious school dormitory building in Papar on July 16, before being pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital.

Shahlan commended the forensic team’s dedication, noting their tireless work throughout the procedure.

“I am truly grateful to the forensic team because they not only refrained from eating or drinking, but did not sit down at all.

“They were constantly moving to look for both old and new injuries, if any. I only found out that they ate after the process was completed,” he said.

The next steps will be determined after discussions with the family and legal team, which may include seeking an inquest.

“For your information, the post-mortem report is not a public document, it is not for public access. In fact, it is confidential. So it can only be obtained later in court if there is an inquest,” he explained.