PETALING JAYA: The mother of six-year-old autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin arrived at the Sessions Court here at 8.30am on Friday (Oct 31), accompanied by her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari.
The court is set to deliver its verdict on whether Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, will be acquitted or convicted of neglecting her son in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
ALSO READ: Zayn Rayyan not neglected or abused, child psychologist tells court
Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh is scheduled to preside over the session at 9.30am.
Ismanira, a mother of two, is charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of RM50,000 fine, 20 years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Should the court find that she has successfully raised reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case, she will be released.
ALSO READ: ‘I never left Zayn Rayyan alone,’ says mother
On July 21, Judge Syahliza ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge as the prosecution failed to do so.
A total of 28 witnesses were called to testify between February 3 and April 24 this year.
The prosecution team comprises Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian, while Ismanira is represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.
On June 13, 2024, both parents pleaded not guilty to neglecting their son between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of PJU Damansara Damai.
Zayn was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023, and his body was discovered in a stream near their home at Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, the following day.
A post-mortem revealed injuries to his neck and body consistent with self-defence, and his death is being investigated as murder.
