KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor Social Welfare Department is vetting the family members of murdered autistic child Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin to find a suitable guardian for his younger brother, who is currently in the agency’s care.
Selangor Social Welfare director Azmir Kassim told Scoop that the department is gathering information to determine which of the boy’s relatives are able to care for him, as his parents are to face trial for child neglect in Zayn’s murder.
Azmir said the department has standard operating procedures to determine a guardian’s eligibility and the process is underway.
“We are examining the relatives to see who is suitable to care for him. We are still in the process of gathering information and I cannot pre-empt the minister,” he said.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri recently said that Zayn’s younger brother requires special care due to his autistic characteristics. The child cannot speak, she added.
Zayn’s brother was removed from the care of his parents after they were charged with child neglect this week.
The Shah Alam magistrates’ court issued the Social Welfare Department temporary custody for two months.
Azmir said that the court will decide on August 9 whether Zayn’s brother will be handed over to a family member or if the department will continue to care for him based on its findings on the relatives’ suitability.
The Social Welfare Department obtained a temporary custody order for Zayn’s brother under Section 25(2), Children’s Act 2001 from the Shah Alam magistrates’ court on June 14.
On June 13, Zayn’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 29, pleaded not guilty in the Petaling Jaya sessions court to child neglect to the point of causing injury to, Zayn, their eldest son.
They are released on bail of RM10,000 each. The case is up for mention in court on July 26.
On December 6, last year, the 6-year-old’s body was found at a stream near Idaman Apartments in Damansara Damai, a day after he was reported missing by his mother.
A post-mortem indicated that the child was killed, based on injuries found on his neck and body. – June 18, 2024