PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — The family of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin today appealed to authorities to intensify efforts to find his killer, shortly after the Sessions Court sentenced his mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, to five years’ jail for child neglect.
Zayn Rayyan’s grandfather, Zahari Mohd Reba, said that while the family accepted the court’s decision, they remained deeply concerned that the person responsible for the autistic boy’s murder was still at large.
“Kami reda (we accept God’s will),” he said.
“But even though the court has decided, we want to know the status of the murder investigation. Until today, the killer is still out there.”
He urged police to continue the investigation transparently and fairly.
“For two years, our family has been mistreated and slandered on social media, but we remained patient.
“These people will face consequences — if not here, then God-willing in the afterlife,” Zahari told reporters outside the court as his voice began to crack.
Concerns for Zayn Rayyan’s younger brother
He also raised concern for Zayn Rayyan’s younger brother, Zahin Mateen, who also has autism and is currently under the care of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) in Rembau.
Zahin was taken away in mid-June 2024, after Ismanira and her husband Zaim were charged. He remains under JKM care to date.
“Now we must take responsibility for Zahin. We need to protect his emotional well-being.
“We are willing to do anything for him — he is our grandchild, and we are appealing to JKM to return him to us,” he said.
The court had previously allowed Ismanira limited access to Zahin twice a week for no more than 48 hours due to his condition and attachment to his mother.
‘Our hearts are shattered’
When asked for his reaction to Ismanira’s sentencing, Zahari said the entire family was devastated.
“Of course, our hearts are shattered.
“We are heartbroken. That is all I want to say.
“I just wanted to express how we feel today on behalf of my family. Please speak to our lawyers if you have any more questions,” he said, declining to answer further queries from reporters.
The Sessions Court today sentenced Ismanira to five years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of neglecting Zayn Rayyan, in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
The court also rejected her application for a stay of execution and ordered the 30-year-old to begin serving her sentence immediately.
On June 13, 2024, Zayn Rayyan’s parents — Ismanira and her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari — were charged at the Sessions Court here under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause physical or emotional injury.
Zaim was later acquitted after the court ruled that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case against him, while Ismanira’s trial proceeded.
