PETALING JAYA: The first day of the trial involving the parents of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, accused of neglecting their autistic son, begins on Monday at the Sessions Court here.
Deputy public prosecutors are presenting the case before Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh, calling prosecution witnesses to testify.
Typically, the initial witnesses include the investigating officer, a photographer, and medical personnel.
According to Sinar Harian, previously, the prosecution indicated that 15 witnesses would testify against Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf throughout the trial, scheduled to run from February 3 to 7, February 17 to 21, and March 10 to 14.
However, defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, who represents the 30-year-old couple, said that the defence has received a witness list comprising 32 individuals.
“As per court records, the trial is set to proceed on Monday, and we have received the names of the prosecution witnesses.
“We are prepared for the trial, depending on the court’s instructions,” he said, alongside co-counsel Ramzani Idris, when contacted by the media.
On June 13 last year, the couple pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting their six-year-old son, Zayn Rayyan, in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
The offence was allegedly committed around Jalan PJU Damansara Damai between 12pm on December 5, 2023 and 9:55pm the following day.
The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carries a penalty under Section 31(1) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, they face a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
On December 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan was found dead in a stream near Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, at around 10pm.
He had been reported missing earlier before his body was discovered lying approximately 200 metres from his residential block.
