Petaling jaya: The decision on whether Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, will be required to defend themselves or be acquitted by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on charges of neglecting their six-year-old autistic child, leading to physical harm, will be announced tomorrow.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Judge Dr. Syahliza Warnoh is set to deliver the decision at the end of the prosecution’s case at 9 am. Should the court determine that the prosecution has successfully established a prima facie case against Ismanira and Zaim Ikhwan, they will be required to present their defense. Conversely, if the evidence is deemed insufficient, the accused will be released and acquitted.

The prosecution concluded its case on April 24, after presenting 28 witnesses over a 20-day trial that began on February 4. Key witnesses included Faizul Najib Abd Munaim, who first discovered Zayn Rayyan’s body, and Auni Afiqah Abas, the child’s caregiver. Testimonies were also given by forensic medical consultant Dr. Rohayu Shahar Adnan, three investigating officers, and two child witnesses aged 10.

The prosecution team comprised Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Nur Sabrina Zubairi. Meanwhile, the defense was led by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris, and Lavanesh Haresh.

The charges against Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both aged 30, allege neglect resulting in potential physical harm to Zayn Rayyan between noon on December 5 and 9:55 pm on December 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai and the nearby river area. They face charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 combined with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on December 5, 2023, and his body was found the following day in a stream near his residence.