Court orders Zayn's mum to defend against negligence charges

The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today ordered Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin’s mother to enter her defence on charges of child neglect resulting in physical injury.

In delivering the decision, judge Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Ismanira Abdul Manaf.

The child’s father, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, was meanwhile discharged without having to enter his defence after the prosecution determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed against him.

The family’s lawyer, Haresh Mahadevan, told reporters that the defence stage of the trial will commence at 2pm today.

The defence plans to call up five witnesses, including Zaim.

The prosecution had closed its cases on April 24 after calling up 28 witnesses, including the deceased boy’s caretaker, a forensic expert, and two child investigators.

The charges against Ismanira and Zaim were framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, and are punishable with up to 20 years in jail, or a fine of up to RM50,000 or both.

Zayn was reported missing by his parents on Dec 5, 2023. His remains were found the next day at a stream near his home.

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