Drug addict or pedophile could have done it to Zayn Rayyan – Ismanira

SHAH ALAM – The mother of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin testified in the Sessions Court on Monday that a drug addict or a paedophile might have committed the crime against her autistic son.

Ismanira Abdul Manaf made the statement during the first day of her defence trial.

She is charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause him physical harm.

The mother of two told Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh that she received this information after questioning the police about the injuries sustained by her special needs son.

When questioned by her lawyer, Haresh Mahadevan, Ismanira recounted her observations at the forensic unit of Sungai Buloh Hospital.

She saw her eldest son had head injuries, bruises around his eyes, blood coming from his nose and his mouth was not fully closed.

She also stated that Zayn Rayyan’s stomach was bloated, his legs had shrivelled, his skin had turned white and he emitted a foul odour.

The following exchange occurred during the trial:

Lawyer: Ismanira, did you contact the police to ask who was suspected of committing the crime?

Ismanira: Yes.

Lawyer: What was the police’s response?

Ismanira: They said there were several suspects, but the investigation is still ongoing. The police suspect that two types of individuals may have committed the crime against my son.

Earlier on Monday, the court acquitted her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, of the charge.

The prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case at the end of its proceedings against him.

In contrast, the court ordered Ismanira to enter her defence for the charge under the relevant section.

Besides Haresh, the 30-year-old couple was also represented by lawyers Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Nur Sabrina Zubairi.

The trial is set to resume on Tuesday.

On June 13 last year, the couple pleaded not guilty to neglecting their child at the Sessions Court.

According to the amended charge, they were accused of jointly neglecting 6-year-old Zayn Rayyan under their care in a manner likely to cause physical injury.

The alleged offence occurred from Block R of Pangsapuri Idaman, Damansara Damai, to a nearby river area between 12pm on December 5, 2023, and 9.55pm the following day.

The charge is framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under the same section, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, it carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.

Zayn Rayyan was found dead in a stream near Pangsapuri Idaman, Damansara Damai, at 10pm on December 6, 2023.

He had been reported missing earlier and was discovered about 200 metres from his residential block.