Zara Qairina inquest: Witness not allowed to provide further opinion as child psychology expert

July 16, 2026 - 01:42

KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner's Court ruled on Wednesday that Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, a 51-year-old child psychology expert, will not be permitted to continue offering her professional opinion in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir. The decision came during the ongoing proceedings, where the court determined that the witness had exceeded the scope of her expertise in her testimony.

Dr Noor Aishah had been called to provide insights into the psychological aspects of the case, but the presiding coroner found that her statements ventured into areas beyond her field. The court emphasized that expert witnesses must stick strictly to their designated specialties to ensure the integrity of the evidence. This ruling limits her role to factual observations rather than interpretive analysis.

The inquest, which seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding Zara Qairina's death, has drawn significant public attention. Zara Qairina, a young child, died under unclear conditions, prompting the court to investigate potential negligence or foul play. The coroner stressed that the proceedings must remain focused on evidence-based findings, not speculative opinions.

Legal representatives for the family expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that psychological expertise could shed light on the child's state of mind prior to her death. However, the court maintained its stance, noting that the witness's qualifications did not align with the specific questions raised. The inquest continues with other witnesses scheduled to testify.