Parents of autistic boy found dead in Malaysia charged with child neglect
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Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who is autistic, was found dead near a stream about 200m from his home last December.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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PETALING JAYA - The parents of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin
Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 29, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Petaling Jaya Sessions Court judge Syahliza Warnohon on June 13.
According to the charge sheet, the couple were jointly charged, as persons having the care of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan, to have neglected him in a manner likely to cause him physical injury.
The offence was allegedly committed around Jalan PJU, Damansara Damai, between 12pm on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The couple were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, and face a maximum fine of RM50,000 (S$14,400) or imprisonment of up to 20 years or both, upon conviction.
They said they understood the charge and pleaded not guilty.
On Dec 5, 2023, Zayn Rayyan was reported missing in Damansara Damai. His body was found the next day near a stream about 200m from his home at Apartment Idaman.
A post-mortem revealed there were injuries to his neck and body. In the course of the investigation, police forensic teams combed the location where the body was found as well as surrounding areas in Damansara Damai.
A mass DNA screening was also conducted, with 228 samples collected. Witnesses, including those who claimed to have last seen the boy alive, were also taken to the scene to assist investigators.
Just before the charge was read out in court on June 13, the court interpreter asked Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira if they were well, to which Zaim Ikhwan said he was under the weather.
Ismanira said she was unwell and had vomited.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ku Hayati Ku Haron offered bail at RM15,000 in one surety for each of the accused.
She also asked for the court to impose additional conditions for the couple’s passports to be impounded and to report to the nearest police station monthly.
Lawyer Fahmi Abdul Moin, who represented Zaim Ikhwan, said bail was only to secure attendance and should not be punitive.
“If the accused persons are not able to pay bail, this does not align with the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
“We ask for a RM5,000 bail. We have no issues with the additional conditions,” he said.
Mr Fahmi also said the couple’s lives had taken a 180-degree turn after the incident that robbed them of their son.
“They searched and searched and on Dec 6, Zayn was found dead,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Ismanira’s lawyer, Mr Mahmud Jumaat, adopted Mr Fahmi’s mitigation for his client and confirmed that Ismanira was jobless.
“She is suffering from a severe depression that renders her unable to work. At the same time, she is trying to get treatment for her other son who has speech delay and severe autism,” Mr Mahmud said.
In her reply, DPP Ku Hayati said the couple were facing a serious charge with heavy punishment.
She sought the court to consider that the effect of the neglect, which the couple were accused of, had resulted in Zayn Rayyan’s death.
Judge Syahliza fixed bail at RM10,000 in one surety each and allowed additional conditions.
The accused persons were to report themselves at the nearest police station and to not harass the prosecution witnesses.
No conditions were imposed on their passports as the court was informed that their travel documents had expired.
The case is fixed for mention on July 26.
Earlier, Malaysian media reported that the grandparents of Zayn Rayyan were arrested by the police on June 12, but they will be released on bail on June 13. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
