THE defence proceedings for Ismanira Abdul Manaf, the mother of six-year-old autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Manaf, resumed this morning at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court.
Ismanira arrived at the courthouse at approximately 9:10am, accompanied by her husband and family members.
On Monday, the court ordered her to enter her defence on a charge of child neglect resulting in physical injury. The decision was made by Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh, who ruled that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against her.
Ismanira elected to give sworn testimony from the witness stand. Four other individuals, including her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, are scheduled to testify in her defence.
During Monday's proceedings, the court acquitted and discharged Zaim after determining there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge against him.
Soon after the court’s ruling, the father of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan publicly criticised the police for what he sees as a failure to bring his son's killer to justice, expressing deep disappointment and anger over the state of the ongoing investigation.
Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, who was recently acquitted of a child neglect charge in connection with the case, spoke to reporters outside the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court, questioning the direction and progress of the authorities’ efforts.
“I cooperated with the police from day one. I gave them everything they asked for. I trusted them to find who murdered my son,” he said. “But it has been over a year, and the killer is still out there. Is this all the police could do? Naturally, I’m deeply disappointed.”
Zaim, who appeared visibly emotional, also criticised the criminal charges that were initially brought against both him and his wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf. “All these charges should never have been filed. It’s utter nonsense,” he said, maintaining his innocence and suggesting that the legal process had only added to the family’s suffering rather than delivering justice.
While the court found insufficient evidence to proceed with the case against Zaim — resulting in a full acquittal — his wife was not as fortunate. Ismanira, 34, has been ordered to mount a defence against a charge of neglect that allegedly led to their son’s physical harm.
Ismanira has chosen to give evidence under oath from the witness stand, as allowed under Malaysian legal provisions. Her defence is expected to be supported by four witnesses, including her husband.
The couple had originally faced charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which criminalises the neglect or abuse of a child by a person responsible for their care. The section, when read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The charges stem from the period between 5 and 6 December 2023, the critical 24-hour window during which Zayn went missing and was subsequently found dead. Prosecutors allege the parents failed in their duty of care during this time.
The couple was previously accused of committing the offence between 5 and 6 December 2023 at Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai and a nearby river area.
They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, for allegedly neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause him physical harm. - July 22, 2025
