KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyers representing Noraidah Lamat, the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, have firmly denied claims circulating online that she is collecting donations for personal use or to cover legal expenses in her daughter’s ongoing bullying case.
In a joint statement, the legal team explained that while Noraidah had previously received public contributions through a bank account following Zara Qairina’s tragic death, the fundraising exercise had already ended.
“Our client is not currently collecting any donations, whether for her personal needs or to cover legal costs,” the statement said.
The lawyers added that any future contributions, if necessary, would only be accepted in person by Noraidah herself or through verified non-governmental organisations.
They further stressed that Noraidah’s legal representation is fully pro bono, meaning free of charge. The statement was jointly signed by lawyers Hamid Ismail, Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M. Borhan, Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, and Farrah Nasse.
Yesterday, lawyer Datuk Ram Singh, who represents one of the five teenage girls charged in the case, also confirmed that the defence team is offering pro bono services.
The case stems from an incident involving five teenage girls who were charged at the Children’s Court in Kota Kinabalu for allegedly using abusive language against Zara Qairina, a Form 1 student, last month.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad said the charge relates to a common intention to verbally abuse Zara Qairina in a way that could have caused her emotional distress.
Sessions Judge Elsie Primus allowed bail of RM5,000 for each of the minors during closed proceedings. The court fixed Sept 25 for pre-trial case management, followed by Oct 16. The trial has been scheduled to run on Dec 8–12 and Dec 15–19.
The alleged offence took place at the Rabiatul Adawiyah Dormitory, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan, Papar, between 10pm and 11pm on July 15.
The girls were charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, which carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, or a fine, or both upon conviction. – Malay Mail
