PETALING JAYA: Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's classroom assistant was told that the autistic child had once gone missing while wandering in Metropolitan Park, Kepong, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reports.
Nasimah Abu Bakar, the student management assistant for the special education class, said this during her testimony in the trial of Zayn Rayyan's parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, and his wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, at the Sessions Court here Friday (Feb 7).
The couple are facing charges of neglect in a manner that could cause physical injury at the Sessions Court here.
Nasimah, the 10th prosecution witness, said she was told of this when she contacted Ismanira on Dec 5 and 6, 2023.
According to the 33-year-old, she had called Ismanira to find out more about the six-year-old student's absence from the special education school where she works.
"Then I asked again, whether this incident had happened before and she said Zayn Rayyan had gone missing in Metropolitan Park, Kepong," she said.
To a question from Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Aqharie Durranie Aziz, Nasimah said that after receiving information about Zayn Rayyan's disappearance, she sent a report to the senior assistant for student affairs at the school for further action.
Prosecution: After informing your superiors, what did you do?
Nasimah: The next day, I contacted his mother again to ask whether Zayn Rayyan had ever run away from her?
Prosecution: Why did you ask?
Nasimah: Because she said Zayn Rayyan had run off in a flash on Dec 5, 2023.
Prosecution: However, on that date before the disappearance incident, did Zayn Rayyan come to school?
Nasimah: Yes, he was present.
Prosecution: Did you change his disposable nappy before Zayn Rayyan returned home?
Nasimah: No.
Prosecution: So, he wore the same disposable nappy, why didn't you change it?
Nasimah: Yes, he wore the same disposable nappy, because there was no need, meaning it was not dirty, leaking, or full.
Meanwhile, the witness said, Zayn Rayyan was a good student, not hyperactive, and rarely caused problems.
On June 13, 2024, the couple pleaded not guilty to a charge together, as those having custody of their child, Zayn Rayyan, 6, of neglecting him in a manner that could cause physical injury.
The offence is alleged to have been committed around PJU Damansara Damai here from noon on Dec 5, 2023 until the next day at 9.55pm.
The charge was made under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and can be punished under Section 31(1) of the same act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for not more than 20 years or both, if found guilty.
On Dec 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan was found dead in a stream, near the Idaman Apartment in Damansara Damai at 10pm.
The victim had previously been reported missing before he was found lying down, about 200m from his residential block.
The trial before Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh continues on Feb 17.
