An officer who investigated Zayn Rayyan Zaim Ikhwan’s murder told the sessions court that the investigation into the autistic child’s parents, Ismanira Abdul Manaf and Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, was not conducted frivolously or to target the two accused.
Hafizee Ismail, 38, previously a senior criminal investigating officer with the Petaling Jaya police, said this during cross-examination by lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, who represented the couple.
Haresh: I suggest that your investigation into this case was frivolous and focused solely on implicating the two accused. Do you agree or disagree?
Hafizee: Disagree.
The witness also disagreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that his investigation was weak and incomplete.
Haresh: I suggest not only were witnesses asked to implicate the accused, but you also played a role in court by distorting facts purely to secure a conviction.
Hafizee: Not true.
On June 13 last year, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both aged 30, pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting their six-year-old autistic son in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
The offence allegedly occurred at PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023. His body was discovered in a stream near his home at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, the following day.
He was believed to have been murdered, with an autopsy revealing injuries to his neck and body, consistent with self-defence.
The trial before judge Syahliza Warnoh continues tomorrow.
