SHAH ALAM: The hopes of the mother of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin to return to her family were dashed when the High Court here on Tuesday (Dec 23) rejected her application to suspend her five-year prison sentence for neglecting the autistic child two years ago.
Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin did not grant Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, the appellant, temporary release pending the hearing of the appeal against the conviction and sentence in the case, as reported in Sinar Harian.
According to the amended charges, Ismanira is alleged to have neglected Zayn Rayyan, 6, in a manner likely to cause physical harm.
The offence was allegedly committed in the area of Block R, Pangsapuri Idaman, Damansara Damai, up to the nearby river area, between 12pm, Dec 5, 2023 and 9.55pm, the next day.
The charge was made under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same act, which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both, if convicted.
On Dec 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan was found dead in a stream near the Idaman Apartment area, Damansara Damai, at 10pm.
The victim was previously reported missing before being found lying down, about 200 metres from his residential block.
On Oct 31, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh found the mother of two guilty and sentenced her to five years in prison.
She ordered the woman to be taken to the Kajang Women's Prison immediately after rejecting an application to suspend her sentence pending an appeal at the High Court.
She said the accused failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify suspending the sentence pending an appeal in the High Court.
