PETALING JAYA: The mother of deceased six-year-old autistic boy, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin — Ismanira Abdul Manaf — arrived at the Sessions Court here today to learn her fate in the neglect case linked to her son’s death two years ago.
Ismanira, 30, arrived at the court complex at about 8.40am, clad in a brown blouse and accompanied by her husband and family members.
She appeared calm as she made her way into the courtroom, where Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh is expected to deliver the verdict at 9am.
Members of the media had been stationed outside the courtroom since 7.30am to cover the proceedings, which have drawn significant public attention following the boy’s death in 2023.
Ismanira was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for allegedly neglecting her son in a manner likely to cause physical injury between 12pm on 5 December and 9.55pm on 6 December 2023, around Block R, Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, and a nearby stream.
If convicted, she faces a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both.
The defence closed its case on Aug 5 after calling five witnesses, including clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, who was the final witness to testify.
Earlier, on July 21, the court ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against her.
Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, was acquitted of the joint charge at that stage.
Among the 28 prosecution witnesses were Faizul Najib Abd Munaim, who found Zayn Rayyan’s body on 6 December 2023; his special education teacher, Siti Aminah Nor Mad Ali; neighbour, Siti Natrah Ismail; forensic medical consultant, Dr Rohayu Shahar Adnan; and two child witnesses aged 10.
A rebuttal witness, Azura Mohd Nawawi, also testified about a viral video showing Ismanira, Zayn Rayyan, and his younger brother walking down the stairs of their apartment block.
Ismanira is represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris, and Lavanesh Haresh, while the prosecution team is led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, Nur Sabrina Zubairi, and Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
