PETALING JAYA, Dec 6 — The Attorney-General’s Chambers has rejected a representation submitted by the parents of deceased autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin seeking a review of the child neglect charge against them.
Deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed Sessions Court judge Syahliza Warnoh that the new legal representatives of Zayn Rayyan’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, have been informed of the decision.
“Today was set for the decision on the representation. We have reviewed the letter filed by the previous lawyer, and the representation has been rejected,” said Raja Zaizul Faridah during today’s proceedings.
On June 13, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both 29, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of neglecting the six-year-old child in a manner likely to cause him physical harm, in Damansara Damai, between noon on December 5 and 9.55pm on December 6, 2023.
The charge is under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31(1) of the same act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, jail not exceeding 20 years, or both, if convicted.
Raja Zaizul Faridah said the prosecution requested January 10, 2025, a date agreed upon by both parties, for mention to update all documents for the case before the trial begins.
“Compact discs (CDs) related to the case have yet to be handed over as they are still with the forensics department. The prosecution will provide all requested CDs and other documents, if any, before the proposed mention date,” he said.
Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, representing Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, said that apart from the CDs, a forensics report related to an autopsy, which includes samples taken from the deceased body for analysis, has yet to be handed over to the defence.
“Regarding the previously scheduled trial dates, we request the court to vacate January 21 to 24, 2025, as we have a hearing involving a police officer.
“We have informed the prosecution, and there are no objections. Alternative dates have also been arranged,” he said.
Judge Syahliza said the prosecution must provide the defence with all relevant documents, including the CDs and forensic report, before the case mention on January 10.
“The court also vacates the previously scheduled trial dates from January 20 to 24. The trial will now take place from February 3 to 7, followed by February 17 to 21 and March 10 to 14,” she said.
Speaking to reporters later, Haresh said he was appointed just yesterday to represent Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira.
“My clients want to clear their names and are looking forward to the trial starting in February,” he said, adding that the previous representation was submitted by their previous lawyer on November 19.
Meanwhile, lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin, when contacted, said he ceased representing the couple on December 4 following instruction from the accused.
On December 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan’s body was found lying in a stream near his Idaman Apartment home in Damansara Damai near here after being reported missing the previous day.
The child is believed to have been murdered, as autopsy results revealed signs of self-defence injuries on his neck and body.
— Bernama
