PETALING JAYA, Jan 10 — The prosecution submitted a chemistry report and a compact disc (CD) today for the case of the parents of autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who are charged with neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause physical harm to him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin told Sessions Court Judge Syahliza Warnoh that so far no other documents were submitted to the defence.
"Today the prosecution has submitted documents (chemistry report and CDs) to the lawyers to be used during the trial of the case. In addition, the list of witnesses including witness statements, if any, will be submitted to the lawyers before the trial date via email.
"Please keep the trial dates previously set from February 3 to February 7, February 17 to February 21, and March 10 to March 14," he said during the case mention.
Lawyer M. Haresh, representing Zayn's parents Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, confirmed that the defence had received the chemistry report and CD from the prosecution today.
The court then maintained the trial dates for the case.
Previously, the prosecution informed the court that it would call 15 prosecution witnesses in the trial of the case.
On June 13 last year, Zaim and Ismanira, both 30, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court to a charge of neglecting their six-year-old autistic boy in a manner likely to cause physical harm to him around Jalan PJU Damansara Damai from 12pm on December 5, to 9.55pm on December 6, 2023.
The charge was brought under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 31 (1) of the same act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years or both, if convicted.
On December 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan's body was found lying in a stream near his home at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, after being reported missing the day before.
The child is believed to have been murdered when the autopsy results found injuries to his neck and body from self-defence.
— Bernama
