The 16th child witness, a senior student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, described Zara as a happy-go-lucky student who respected her seniors and never complained about any problems or pressure.

Lawyer Rizwandean M Borhan, representing Zara’s mother, told reporters this at the end of the 25th day of the inquest into Zara’s death before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

“She (the witness) said Zara was disliked by some dormitory students who labelled her a ‘troublemaker’ over theft allegations. The witness firmly denied believing these accusations,” Bernama quoted Rizwandean as saying.

He said the witness confirmed that she did not hear any sound of a fall or anything unusual before the incident that night, and also revealed a culture of seniors verbally abusing and scolding juniors in the dormitory.

According to him, the witness became emotional and tearful when she recalled her own harsh experiences during a “mesyuarat aras” meeting between senior and junior students.

“The witness remains deeply affected to this day and is often mocked by seniors around school. She has chosen to ignore these taunts,” he said.

Zara, 13, was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school’s dormitory at 4am on July 16.

The inquest continues.