No witness testimony that Zayn Rayyan's parents neglected him, court hears

The Star

23-04-2025

Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira in the court compound on April 23. – BERNAMApic
PETALING JAYA: None of the 27 prosecution witnesses said that the parents of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin had neflected the child, a police officer told the Sessions Court here Wednesday (April 23).
Asst Supt Mohd Hafizee Ismail, 38, the senior investigating officer at police headquarters here at the time of the case, was being cross-examined by defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan on the 19th day of the trial of Ismanira Abdul Manaf and Zaim Ikhwan Zahari.
They were charged with child neglect before Sessions judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.
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ASP Hafizee, who is now with the Operations Intelligence Unit at the South Klang Criminal Investigation Division, also agreed with counsel's suggestion that, based on the medical report, Zayn Rayyan was neither abused nor neglected.
Haresh: ASP, are you aware that out of the 27 prosecution witnesses who have testified, not a single one stated in court that they saw either the first accused (Zaim Ikhwan) or the second accused (Ismanira), or both, neglecting Zayn Rayyan on Dec 5 and 6, 2023?
ASP Hafizee: I am not sure.
Haresh: Based on your investigation, which witness stated this? Do you know?
ASP Hafizee: None.
The 28th prosecution witness also agreed that none of the 27 others who had testified had seen either of the accused by the stream near Block R of the Idaman Apartment in Damansara Damai, the site where Zayn Rayyan's body was found.
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Haresh: Of the 27 prosecution witnesses who have testified, which witness saw both accused near the stream?
ASP Hafizee: None.
On June 13 last year, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both 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 in 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, 202 and 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, and an autopsy revealed injuries to his neck and body, consistent with self-defence. – Bernama