THE post-mortem examination of Zara Qairina Mahathir found no injuries other than those consistent with a fall from height, the investigating officer (IO) told the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
Inspector Wong Yew Zhung, 32, the 83rd witness in the inquest, said the findings were consistent with the initial medical assessment and formed part of the basis for his conclusion that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
“After the investigation and scene visit, with regard to the diary and the doctor’s diagnosis, initially there was nothing suspicious.
“The final examination findings also confirmed that there were no injuries other than those consistent with a fall from a height,” he said.
Wong was responding to questions from lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who challenged his assessment by referring to events before Zara Qairina was found at the lower level of her hostel building, including testimony that she had cried after meeting a Form Four student.
Shahlan also questioned the absence of witnesses who had seen how she fell.
In response, Wong referred to the testimony of Student A, who had reportedly said Zara Qairina had spoken several times about wanting to jump from a building because she was unhappy with her life and faced problems at school and with her family.
“As far as I can remember, Student A said Zara had mentioned several times that she wanted to jump from a building and that she did not like her own life because she had problems at school and with her family,” he said.
Asked whether the circumstances surrounding the incident raised suspicions, Wong reiterated that his final investigation had found none.
“In my opinion, even at the conclusion of my investigation, there were no suspicious circumstances,” he said.
Wong also confirmed that he had sought instructions from his superior to establish the cause of death.
He said a post-mortem examination was necessary when a death involved suspicious circumstances, even if the cause of death appeared to be known.
“If it is suspicious, yes,” he said. - October 14, 2026