Zayn Rayyan case: Lawyer says he no longer represents victim's mum

PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Mahmud Jumaat has confirmed that he no longer represents the mother of autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who was allegedly neglected and later found dead in December.

When contacted Friday (July 26), Mahmud said that he would not appear in court for the first day's proceedings for case mention before Sessions judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.

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Previously, both accused – the child's parents – were represented by Fahmi Abd Moin and Mahmud.

On Friday morning, the Sessions Court here was abuzz when Zayn Rayyan's father Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and mother Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 29, arrived for the first day of proceedings.

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They were arrested by the Selangor Criminal Investigation Department on May 31 and remanded to assist the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Two weeks later, on June 13, the couple pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of neglecting the child, as the custodians of the six-year-old boy, in a manner likely to cause physical injury.

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The offence was allegedly committed around Damansara Damai here from noon on Dec 5 until 9.55pm the following day.

The charge, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31(1), carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

On Dec 6, Zayn Rayyan was found dead at a stream near Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai.

A post-mortem found injuries on his neck and body.