THE Petaling Jaya Sessions Court dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the parents of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, who are facing a charge of neglecting the autistic child in a manner that could have caused physical harm.
Judge Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the charge brought by the prosecution was in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
"After reviewing arguments from both sides, the court finds that the charges in this case comply with the law, are not defective, and do not deny the accused the right to a proper defence.
"Therefore, the defence's preliminary objection is dismissed, and the trial will commence at 2pm," she said.
Syahliza ordered the trial to begin this afternoon.
Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and his wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 30, pleaded not guilty in the sessions court on June 13 last year to neglecting six-year-old Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause him physical harm.
The offence allegedly occurred at PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and is punishable under the same section, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, they face a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both.- February 3, 2025