KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner's Court today allowed Zara Qairina Mahathir's mother to follow the inquest into her daughter's death from the public gallery.
Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan made the decision after hearing submissions from the parties involved, following the completion of Noraidah Lamat's testimony as the inquest's 82nd witness.
He said the court would consider any application to recall Noraidah as a witness before deciding on the matter.
Earlier, conducting officer Nahra Dollah objected to Noraidah's presence in the public gallery, expressing concern that it could prejudice her testimony if she were recalled.
However, lawyer Datuk Rizwandean M Borhan, representing Noraidah, argued that there was no risk of prejudice as she had already completed her testimony.
He also said Noraidah was an interested party in the inquest and had the right to follow the proceedings.
Lawyer Nurul Rafeeqa Afdul Mutolip, representing Zara's father, supported Rizwandean's arguments.
She said Noraidah could still learn about witnesses' testimonies through news reports even if she was not physically present in court, making her presence in the public gallery no different.
Noraidah was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Nur Shira Abdullah, who testified as the inquest's 71st witness.
The proceedings are currently hearing testimony from the case's investigating officer, Inspector Wong Yew Zhung.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd