PETALING JAYA : The mother of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin admitted in court today that she did not search the garden near her apartment when the autistic boy went missing on December 5, 2023.
During cross-examination on the third day of defence proceedings at the Sessions Court here, 30-year-old Ismanira Abdul Manaf told Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin that her search efforts were focused on the apartment blocks and nearby commercial premises but not the garden area close to their residence in Block R, Idaman Apartments, Damansara Damai.
“I searched every floor in Block R and continued to Block S and Block A, all of which have four levels. I did it alone while contacting my husband, who was on his way back from work,” she said.
Ismanira explained that her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, had asked her to wait at Block E before they continued the search together. The couple then looked for Zayn at nearby locations including petrol stations, fast food outlets, schools, office buildings, and even other apartment complexes such as Indah and Harmoni Apartments as well as Prima Damansara—all located within 500 metres of their home.
When asked why she didn’t check the garden area near their home, Ismanira replied, “I know my son. He’s autistic and only goes to places he’s familiar with. I never took him to the garden or the place where his body was eventually found.”
She later agreed with DPP Raja Zaizul that the garden was closer to Block R than other places she searched, yet she still did not explore it during the initial search.
Raja Zaizul remarked, “Don’t look for nearby areas (gardens), but look for distant areas. Agree?”
To which Ismanira responded: “Agreed.”
However, she disagreed with the suggestion that she encountered many people during her search, stating that most residents were at work during the time and she only met people operating stalls at Block A, where she left her contact number for help.
The trial relates to the charge of negligence involving the tragic death of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan, whose body was later discovered near a river close to the apartment.
On Monday, Sessions Court Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that a prima facie case had been established against Ismanira, ordering her to enter her defence. Her husband Zaim, however, was released and acquitted of the same charge.
Both parents were accused under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, for allegedly neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause him physical harm. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum jail term of 20 years, or a fine of RM50,000, or both. — Bernama
