KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has exhausted all legal means and police assets in investigating the murder of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The CID director said the case's mystery would only be uncovered during the trial of Zayn Rayyan's parents, who on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the charge of child negligence.
"As far as the police investigation is concerned, we have concluded our part with a prosecution.
"We hope all Malaysians will stop speculating as the trial will start next month.
"All will be revealed during the trial. Let us pray that justice will be served," he told reporters at Bukit Aman on Thursday (June 13).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the case was initially investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code based on leads, evidence gathered, and the post-mortem report.
"Based on a thorough discussion with the Attorney General's Chambers, they felt that, for now, the suitable law to be used (to prosecute the suspects) is under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, which carries up to RM50,000 fine or up to 20 years' imprisonment or both upon conviction.
"However, we will investigate further if there is any instruction from the AGC depending on the trial proceedings," he said.
On allegations that lawyers were not given access to Zayn Rayyan's parents during remand, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said it was the police's discretion to do so under Section 28A(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"The Special Investigation Powers under the same section enable the police to do so.
"We had no ulterior motive except to use all legal means to achieve the best outcome for the investigation," he said.
The department, said Comm Mohd Shuhaily, has used all manpower, expertise, and assets throughout the investigation over the past six months.
"We even formed a task force to study all evidence and statements collected. These officers went through thousands of pages of transcripts, CCTV clips, and dashcam footage, as well as reports from pathologists and digital forensics.
"We have exhausted all assets and expertise in our quest to ensure justice for Zayn Rayyan," he said.
Asked if a long-standing "debt" has been repaid upon the conclusion of the case, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said all credit should be given to his officers and personnel.
He commended all the officers and personnel involved, who have worked very hard during the course of the investigation.
"They spent all their time and energy over the past six months in pursuit of this case.
"They showed utmost discipline, dedication, and commitment. Some of them did not even have the chance to go home to their families as they put the case first," he said.
On May 31, Zayn Rayyan's parents were arrested at Puncak Alam at about 11 am and held under remand to assist investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
On Dec 5 last year, Zayn Rayyan was reported missing in Damansara Damai and his body was found near a stream about 200m from his home at the Idaman Apartment the next day.
A post-mortem revealed injuries to his neck and body, leading to the conclusion that he had been killed.
During the investigation, police forensic teams combed the location where the body was found as well as the surrounding areas in Damansara Damai.
A mass DNA screening was also conducted, with 228 samples collected.
Witnesses, including those who claimed to have last seen the autistic child alive, were also brought to the scene to assist investigators.
