KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — The Coroner’s Court was told today that the older stepsister of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir suffered emotional distress while living with Zara Qairina’s mother for about seven months during her primary school years.

Malianah Mahathir, 25, said she was 10 when she began living with her father and Zara Qairina’s mother following the couple’s marriage in 2011.

The 81st witness said she lived with them from late 2011 until June 2012, before moving out.

“Throughout the time I lived with my stepmother, she was good at putting on an act. When my father was at home, she would be kind to me. However, once my father left for work, she would change and show dislike towards me.

“During the time I lived with my stepmother, I suffered emotional distress due to her attitude and the things she said to me. At that time, I was still a primary school student,” she said while reading her witness statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan during the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.