KOTA KINABALU, Sept. 11 -- A security guard at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha said students were prevented from going home after learning that 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir had died.

Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, 65, told the Coroner's Court here today that some of the students were in shock and feeling scared, but they were not allowed to call their parents or go home because the principal had not given them permission.

"There was chaos when the kids found out, some got very scared especially after she was declared dead.

"Many wanted to call their parents and go home, but the school didn't allow for it. The warden said that they didn't get the principal's permission because she was visiting Zara's mother at the time in Sipitang. So, to calm t...