THE trial of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin’s parents, who are charged with neglecting the six-year-old boy in a manner likely to cause physical harm, is set to begin at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today.
The prosecution will present 32 witnesses on trial dates that have been set for Feb 3 to 7, Feb 17 to 21, and March 10 to 14.
Last Friday, the couple, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, filed an application at the Shah Alam High Court to stay the trial proceedings.
The couple filed a notice of motion to review the Sessions Court's decision last week, which ordered the trial to proceed after rejecting their request for a postponement.
They are seeking a stay of proceedings while awaiting the High Court's decision on their application to quash the charges.
Their lawyer, Haresh Mahadevan, confirmed that they have yet to receive any notification from the High Court regarding the hearing of the stay application.
On June 13 last year, the couple entered a not guilty plea to charges of neglecting their six-year-old son, Zayn Rayyan, in a way that could potentially cause him physical harm.
The alleged incident took place along Jalan PJU Damansara Damai between noon on December 5, 2023, and 9.55pm the following day.
The charge, laid under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act, in conjunction with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If found guilty, the couple could be fined up to RM50,000, sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, or both. – February 3, 2025
