Zayn's father a free man after court bins prosecution's appeal

Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's father, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 31, remains a free man after the High Court today dismissed the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal on the charge of neglecting the six-year-old autistic child to the point of causing physical harm to the boy three years ago.

Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, representing Zaim, said this follows the prosecution’s withdrawal of its appeal against the decision of the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court last year in acquitting and discharging his client.

"The prosecution informed the High Court judge that they had filed a notice of withdrawal of appeal this morning and did not wish to proceed with the appeal... The High Court judge subsequently dismissed the public prosecutor's appeal," he said when contacted.

Deputy public prosecutor Ainul Mardiyah Ali appeared before judge Suriyati Hasimah Hashim in today’s proceedings. Haresh and lawyer Ramzani Idris represented Zaim.

On July 21 last year, Sessions Court judge Syahliza Warnoh acquitted and discharged Zaim after finding that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against him.

However, the court ordered Zayn's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, to enter her defence on the same charge.

Zaim and Ismanira were charged with neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause physical harm to the victim in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, up to the nearby river area between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.

They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or both.

On Oct 31 last year, Syahliza found Ismanira, 31, guilty and sentenced her to five years in prison. She ordered the woman to be sent to the Kajang Women's Prison immediately after rejecting her application to stay the sentence pending an appeal at the High Court.

- Bernama

Court rejects Zayn's mother's bid to stay jail sentence

Verdict on appeal by Zayn's mum to stay jail sentence set for Dec 23

Lawyer claims family left in dark over Zayn's murder probe

'All will be cursed, watch out botak!' - Zayn Rayyan's father erupts

Court finds Zayn Rayyan's mum guilty of child neglect, gets 5-year jail time