KUALA LUMPUR – In the heart-wrenching aftermath of the disappearance and subsequent tragic death of 6-year-old Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, the Malaysian community finds itself gripped by an unsettling sense of sorrow and outrage.
Zayn Rayyan, an autistic child, was reported missing on December 5, and despite nearly four weeks passing since that fateful day, the police investigation into his murder has yet to yield any significant breakthroughs.
In the wake of this tragic case, here is what we know so far:
December 5: Zayn Rayyan was reported missing, last seen at his residence in Block R, Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya. His mother had fetched him back from school at about 12.30pm.
In a statement, the police reported receiving a missing child report at 6.36pm and appealed to the public for assistance.
December 6: Zayn Rayyan’s body was found in a stream near his house at about 10pm by a resident and police officers.
Petaling Jaya police chief Mohd Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid confirmed the discovery and said that the body was in perfect condition, dressed in the school’s sports uniform.
Witness Faizol Najib Abudi Naim, a resident of the apartment, detailed the discovery, highlighting the community’s collective effort in searching for the missing child.
December 7: The police summoned Zayn Rayyan’s parents for questioning, initiating a broader investigation involving neighbours and acquaintances.
The case was officially being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
At about 5pm, Zayn Rayyan’s death was officially declared a murder, with post-mortem results revealing injuries to his neck and body. The child’s body was later buried at Islamic Cemetery Section 9, Kota Damansara.
Federal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain provided insights into the circumstances, stating that Zayn Rayyan was killed elsewhere and not near the stream where his body was found.
December 8: The police summoned Zayn Rayyan’s parents again for additional statements.
Post-mortem results confirmed no signs of long-term abuse on the child’s body. Police were awaiting fingerprint and DNA results from the Chemistry Department to aid in identification.
December 9: Forensics unit conducted an extensive investigation at the location where Zayn Rayyan’s body was found.
An appeal was made for dashcam footage from residents, and Zayn Rayyan’s clothes were sent for analysis by the Chemistry Department.
December 10: The police intensified their investigation, deploying K9 detection dogs for door-to-door inspections at 18 blocks.
A shed near the location where the body was found, belonging to an Idaman Apartment resident, was searched for over two hours.
A total of 5,628 residents were inspected, and DNA samples were taken from 228 individuals. Wet weather hampered the evidence collection process.
December 11: Police believed a sole perpetrator was involved in Zayn Rayyan’s death, emphasising the need for public cooperation and patience.
A surprise DNA test was conducted on all residents from 18 blocks.
December 12: Dashcam recordings collected from residents required further analysis.
The police sought assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department and Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department to drain water at the reservoir where Zayn Rayyan’s body was discovered.
December 13: Police found a sock in the stream, and forensic units continued their work at the crime scene.
The investigation entered its seventh day.
December 14: Two child witnesses were identified, claiming they saw Zayn Rayyan on the day he went missing.
Mass screening resulted in statements from 238 individuals and 238 DNA samples.
December 15: Child witnesses assisted the forensic unit by re-enacting the scene where they last saw Zayn Rayyan.
December 16: The police recorded 172 statements from residents at the Idaman Apartments.
Observation suggested minimal police activities.
December 17: The forensic unit resumed its investigation at Idaman Apartments, focusing on Block R.
December 20: Federal police’s CID director visited the crime scene, providing no updates on the investigation.
December 23: Police sought help from the International Criminal Police Organisation’s (Interpol) assistance to aid investigations into the murder.
Hussein said the authorities had sent over to Interpol evidence acquired by police over two weeks since the 6-year-old child’s body was found by a stream.
He said this investigation is not a “straightforward case”, noting that the police officers had recorded statements from 225 individuals and obtained 248 DNA samples besides conducting door-to-door checks in the Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai.
Although with all the acquired evidence, Hussein said it was not enough to solve the case.
Present: As the community awaits justice for Zayn Rayyan, the haunting mystery persists, emphasising the challenges law enforcement faces in unravelling the truth behind the tragic death of an innocent child.
The collective hope remains that, with international collaboration and unwavering determination, the authorities will soon bring the perpetrator to justice and provide closure to a grieving family and community. – December 27, 2023