Latest news with #ZaimIkhwan


Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘They loved him': Grandfather denies parents neglected or killed autistic grandson Zayn Rayyan
PETALING JAYA, July 24 — The grandfather of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin told the Sessions Court here yesterday that his son and daughter-in-law would never have neglected or harmed the six-year-old, describing them as devoted parents. Zahari Mohd Reba, 57, testified during the defence proceedings of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, saying both she and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, loved their autistic son dearly. 'Zayn was my beloved grandson. If either of his parents were not working, I would make sure they came over to spend time with him. 'He was very close to his parents. I believe my son (Zaim Ikhwan) and daughter-in-law (Ismanira) were not involved in his death,' Zahari said during examination-in-chief by defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan. The second defence witness added that he was heartbroken by the loss of his eldest grandchild and deeply loved Zayn. When questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Zahari confirmed that Zayn, who was autistic, required constant care and shared a close bond with both parents. He also agreed with the prosecution's suggestion that Ismanira and Zaim treated Zayn and his younger sibling equally. On Monday, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordered Ismanira to enter her defence. Her husband Zaim Ikhwan, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause physical harm between noon on December 5 and 9.55pm on December 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R of Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai and a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' jail, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both. The trial continues today. — Bernama


The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Grandfather defends parents in autistic child neglect case
PETALING JAYA: The grandfather of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin testified in court today, insisting his son and daughter-in-law were loving parents who would never neglect or harm their autistic child. Zahari Mohd Reba, 57, appeared as a defence witness in the trial of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, stating that both she and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, deeply cared for their late son. 'Zayn was my beloved grandson. If either of his parents were not working, I would make sure they came over to spend time with him. He was very close to his parents. I believe my son and daughter-in-law were not involved in his death,' Zahari said during examination-in-chief by defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan. The grandfather described his grief over losing his eldest grandchild, emphasising the strong bond Zayn shared with his parents. Under cross-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Zahari confirmed that Zayn, who was autistic, needed constant care and had a close relationship with both parents. He also agreed that Ismanira and Zaim treated Zayn and his younger sibling equally. On Monday, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring Ismanira to enter her defence. Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, 30, was acquitted of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause physical harm between December 5 and 6, 2023, near Block R of Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, and a nearby river. They faced charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' jail, a RM50,000 fine, or both. The trial resumes tomorrow. – Bernama


The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Zayn Rayyan's parents would have never harmed him, says grandfather
PETALING JAYA: The grandfather of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin has told the Sessions Court here that his son and daughter-in-law were devoted parents and would never have neglected or harmed the six-year-old boy. Zahari Mohd Reba, 57, testified during the defence proceedings of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, saying both she and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, loved their autistic son dearly. "Zayn was my beloved grandson. If either of his parents were not working, I would make sure they came over to spend time with him. "He was very close to his parents. I believe my son (Zaim Ikhwan) and daughter-in-law (Ismanira) were not involved in his death," Zahari said during examination-in-chief by defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan. The second defence witness added that he was heartbroken by the loss of his eldest grandchild. When questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Zahari confirmed that Zayn Rayyan, who was autistic, required constant care and shared a close bond with both parents. He also agreed with the prosecution's suggestion that Ismanira and Zaim treated Zayn Rayyan and his younger sibling equally. On Monday, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordered Ismanira to enter her defence. Her husband Zaim Ikhwan, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause physical harm between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R of Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai and a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' jail, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both. The trial continues tomorrow. – Bernama


The Star
21-07-2025
- The Star
Zayn Rayyan's mum testifies
Trial break: Zaim Ikhwan (right) and Ismanira leaving the courtroom while the trial was adjourned. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star PETALING JAYA: The mother of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin sobbed after she was ordered by the Sessions Court here to enter her defence on a charge of neglecting the autistic child, whose lifeless body was found near a stream almost two years ago. Ismanira Abdul Manaf was seen being comforted by family members when the proceedings took a short break. Her husband and co-accused Zaim Ikhwan Zahari was acquitted of the charge. Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh made the order on Ismanira at the end of the prosecution's case yesterday. In her brief decision, she said the court has conducted a thorough evaluation of the evidence and exhibits in the case. 'The prosecution has established a prima facie case. 'The court hereby calls the second accused (Ismanira) to enter her defence for the offence under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act,' Syahliza said. Ismanira was given three options; to remain silent and not answer the charge, to testify under oath from the dock without being cross-examined, or to testify under oath from the witness stand and be cross-examined by the prosecution. 'I want to testify under oath from the witness stand,' Ismanira said in her reply to the judge. Syahliza said the prosecution failed to establish the element of care, neglect and common intention in the case of Zaim Ikhwan. 'The first accused (Zaim Ikhwan) is hereby discharged and acquitted without having to enter his defence,' Syahliza said. Zaim Ikhwan was heard thanking the court for his acquittal. The proceedings then took a short break before resuming with Ismanira taking the stand. Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both 30, were charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause physical harm to him in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment in Damansara Damai, up to a nearby river area between 12pm on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or both, if convicted. Zayn Rayyan, six, was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023. His body was found the next day in a stream near his house.

Barnama
21-07-2025
- Barnama
Zayn Rayyan's Case: Zaim Ikhwan Acquitted Of Neglect Charge, Ismanira Ordered To Defend Herself
PETALING JAYA, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Sessions Court here today acquitted and discharged Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's father, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, from the charge of neglecting the six-year-old autistic child to the point of causing physical harm to him, two years ago. Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh made the decision after finding that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Zaim Ikhwan, 30, at the end of the prosecution case. However, the court ordered Zayn Rayyan's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, to enter her defence on the same charge. Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira were charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause physical harm to the victim in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartments, Damansara Damai up to the nearby river area between 12 noon on Dec 5 to 9.55 pm on Dec 6 2023. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or both, if convicted. Judge Syahliza in her summary judgment said that after examining the evidence of the prosecution witnesses in maximum assessment as well as the arguments of the prosecution and defence, the court found that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Zaim Ikhwan at the end of the prosecution case. "Therefore, the first accused (Zaim Ikhwan) is discharged and acquitted while for the second accused (Ismanira), the court finds that the prosecution has succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the second accused and she is called to defend herself in accordance with Section 31(1)(a) of the Children's Act 2001," said the judge. Ismanira, who gave her defence statement today, chose to give her statement under oath from the witness stand. --BERNAMA