PETALING JAYA: Nearly two years after the death of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin shocked the nation, his mother has been sentenced to five years jail for neglecting her autistic son in a manner that could cause physical harm.
Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh also ordered Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, to serve a two-year good behaviour bond and complete 120 hours of community service within six months of her release.
The court dismissed defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan’s application for a stay of execution pending appeal, meaning Ismanira will begin serving her sentence immediately.
Haresh argued that there were special circumstances to justify a stay, suggesting that stricter bail conditions could be imposed instead.
“She is not a flight risk as she does not possess a passport,” he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Sabrina Zubairi opposed the request, saying there were no exceptional grounds for a stay.
“There are no convincing reasons to grant a stay. She is to be jailed immediately,” the judge said.
When contacted later, Haresh said the defence would file a notice of appeal next week.
“Since the judge dismissed our stay application, there is no urgency to file it immediately. We plan to do so either on Monday or Tuesday, likely together with the stay application at the High Court,” he said.
After the proceedings, Ismanira’s husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, appeared visibly emotional as family members gathered around her.
Ismanira wept throughout the proceedings yesterday.
Outside the courtroom, Zayn Rayyan’s grandfather, Zahari Mohd Reba, 56, said the family accepted the verdict but remained anguished that the child’s killer had yet to be found.
“Everyone knows today’s decision, and we accept it. But I want to know the status of Zayn Rayyan’s murder case. Until now, the investigation has failed, and the murderer is still out there,” he told reporters.
He urged the authorities to continue investigating transparently and fairly, saying the family has endured public scrutiny and online slander for nearly two years.
Zahari said the family was now focused on caring for Zayn Rayyan’s younger brother, Zahin Mateen, and hoped the Social Welfare Department would grant them custody.
“We are willing to do anything for our grandchild. Our hearts are broken. We have always been close to our daughter-in-law,” he said.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023, before his body was discovered the following day in a stream near his home at Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai.
A post-mortem revealed that the boy died from strangulation.
Ismanira was charged with neglect in June 2024, while Zaim Ikhwan was later acquitted after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
