PETALING JAYA — The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has rejected the a bid by parents of autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin to review the charge of child neglect against them reviewed.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed Sessions Court Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh that the decision has been communicated to the new legal representatives of the parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
“Today was set for the decision on the representation (for the review of the charge).
“We have reviewed the letter filed by the previous lawyer, and the representation has been rejected,” Bernama reported Raja Zaizul Faridah saying during today’s proceedings.
On June 13, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both 29, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to the charge of neglecting the six-year-old autistic child in a manner likely to cause physical harm to him in the PJU Damansara Damai area between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55 pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The charge is under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31 (1) of the same act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail term not exceeding 20 years or both, if convicted.
Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan is now representing the parents, whose previous lawyer was Fahmi Abd Moin.
The couple submitted their representation to the AGC to have the charge against them reviewed and withdrawn late last month.
Previously the court had set trial dates for the case for 15 days, starting from Jan 20 to 24, Feb 3 to 7 and Feb 17 to 21 next year.
Today, DPP Raja Zaizul Faridah said the prosecution is requesting a mention date on Jan 10, to update all documents related to the case before the trial begins.
Lawyer Haresh said there are still samples taken from the Zayn Rayyan’s body for analysis that have not yet been submitted to the defence.
He also requested the court change the trial dates set for Jan 20 to 24 due to another case, adding that the prosecution had made no objections to the request for a date change.
The court today set Jan 10 for the submission of documents and scheduled additional trial dates from March 10 to 14. – December 6, 2024