ZAYN Rayyan Abdul Matin's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, will defend herself on charges of neglecting her autistic child after the PJ Sessions Court ruled that a prima facie case existed against her.
Defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan informed the court that the defence would call five witnesses, including Ismanira's husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari who was acquitted of the same charge this morning.
Earlier, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Zaim Ikhwan, while there was a prima facie case against Ismanira to answer the charge.
Ismanira, who was represented by Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh, chose to give her sworn statement from the dock to allow the prosecution to cross-examine her.
Ismanira wept uncontrollably in court after the judge ruled that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against her.
After proceedings stood down, Ismanira continued to cry as she was embraced and comforted by her mother-in-law and several family members.
According to the amended charge, she and her husband, as individuals who had the care of Zayn Rayyan, 6, were accused of neglecting him in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
The offence allegedly occurred from 12pm on Dec 5, 2023 until about 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023 around the area of Block R, Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai up to a nearby stream.
The charge was made under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years or both, if convicted.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing from Block R on Dec 5 after his mother fetched him from school at 12.30pm.
His body was found a day later in the stream, about 200m from his home. - July 21, 2025
