Noraidah Lamat applies to intervene in an NGO’s bid to quash the inquest into her daughter’s death, asserting her rights as next of kin.

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court will hear an application by Zara Qairina Mahathir’s mother to intervene in a judicial review seeking to quash the inquest into her daughter’s death.

Judge Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid fixed March 18 for the hearing.

Counsel Shahlan Jufri and Rizwandean M Borhan informed the court that the application was filed on Dec 23 last year. It was made on behalf of Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat.

In a supporting affidavit, Noraidah stated she has a direct and substantial interest as the next of kin. She argued that quashing the inquest would undermine her statutory right to a proper inquiry.

She contended that the applicant NGO, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ekonomi Semangat Bersatu Malaysia (Pembela), has no direct interest in the proceedings. The NGO filed the judicial review application on Nov 21, 2025.

Pembela seeks to quash the entire inquest, arguing it was conducted under the federal Criminal Procedure Code. The group claims Sabah’s Inquest Ordinance 1959, with its specific procedural safeguards, should govern the inquiry.

The NGO is seeking orders to declare the 1959 Ordinance as the applicable law. It also wants the ongoing inquest proceedings to be struck out.

 The Sun Malaysia