Mum: What happened to my Zara?
Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025
By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Noraidah showing a photo of herself with Zara. SIPITANG: A mother wants police to get to the bottom of what really happened that her 13-year-old daughter was found unconscious in the drain after apparently falling off the third floor of her Sekolah Menengah Agama Tun Datu Mustapha dormitory in Kinarut last Wednesday (July 16). Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang was found with severe injuries at 3am and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day. She was buried the same day. Noraidah Lamat, 45, an Ustazah (religious teacher) said she has given full cooperation to the police and was called twice to record her statements. She said she preferred not to say anything more since the case is under investigation. Noraidah said Zara was always by her side and did not show any unusual sign or feelings before the tragedy. 'Zara chose to be sent to the Islamic Religious secondary school in Papar as it was her wish. Also, because she saw many of her friends were staying in school hostels and wanted to experience it. 'She also idolised me...as I had stayed in a dorm before. Hence, Zara wanted to follow suit as she had always imagined the fun and joy living with friends in a school dorm,' she said. Noraidah said it was quite difficult for her to agree to Zara's choice of school in Papar as they had never been apart except when she pursued secondary studies in the Papar school. 'At first, it was tough for me to send Zara to the school and stayed in the dorm when the school session started in February. 'I kept thinking of my daughter. There was always no peace in my heart and I always worried about her. I missed her, but iyalah, this was what she wanted,' she said, sobbing. Noraidah recalled how Zara always asked her to bake her favourite 'kek batik' (chocolate biscuit layer cake) which she did when Zara was at home. Before returning to the hostel, she prepared 'kek batik' in several containers — one for her daughter and the rest for Zara's friends and dorm mates. Zara returned home last Saturday (June 12) and said she would go back to the hostel later in the afternoon on Sunday (July 13) 'Her last meal was 'roti telur' which she made not only for me but for all of us (the whole family) before she returned to the dorm,' she said. Noraidah refused to comment when asked whether her daughter complained to her about anything or anyone. She was visited by State Minister of Science, Techology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif together with Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, and Yayasan Sabah Director Dato' Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar cum Kawang assemblyman at her house at Kg Kalamauh, Mesapol, Monday. Dr Mohd Arifin who is in charge of education matters in Sabah presented a mock cheque of RM10,000 from Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS) as well as his personal contribution followed by personal contributions from Ghulam and Dr Yusof. Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah and Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Deputy Head Datuk Ustaz Malai Ali Malai Ahmad also gave their contributions through representatives. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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