SHAH ALAM, Nov 3 — Ismanira Abdul Manaf, who was convicted and sentenced to five years’ jail for neglecting her late six-year-old autistic son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, has filed a notice of appeal at the Shah Alam High Court.
The New Straits Times reported that the 30-year-old lodged the appeal through Messrs Haresh Mahadevan & Co today, seeking to overturn the entire decision of the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on October 31, which found her guilty under the Child Act.
She is also appealing against a two-year good behaviour bond, RM3,000 bail with one surety, and an order to perform 120 hours of community service within six months of her release.
Her lawyer, Haresh Mahadevan, confirmed the filing.
Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh had ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, saying Ismanira failed to provide reasonable supervision of Zayn, who went missing from their Damansara Damai apartment on December 5, 2023. His body was found the next day in a nearby stream.
The judge rejected the defence claim that it was routine for Zayn to walk behind his mother, noting inconsistencies with witness testimony.
Ismanira was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act for neglect likely to cause physical injury between December 5 and 6, 2023.
In June last year, she and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of neglect. The court later acquitted Zaim and ordered Ismanira to enter her defence.
