Nature of neglect not clearly defined in charge against Zayn's mother, says child psychologist
Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, 49, the fifth defence witness in the trial of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said this after reviewing the amended charge presented to her by defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan.
During examination-in-chief before Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh, Haresh asked Dr Noor Aishah to silently read the charge.
Dr Noor Aishah: It states that the accused 'had neglected the child in a manner likely to cause physical harm'.
Haresh: Is the nature (of neglect) described in the charge?
Dr Noor Aishah: Looking at the sentence 'had neglected the child in a manner likely to cause physical harm.'I see the word 'likely' suggests uncertainty.
Haresh: Is the way the accused had neglected the child in the charge sheet as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA)?
Dr Noor Aishah: It is not stated here, Yang Arif.
Earlier, Dr Noor Aishah told the court that according to the APA, there were several methods of neglect, such as emotional and physical, and it must be throughout a prolonged and consistent period.
She said to her knowledge, there is no definition of neglect in the country's law provision, and that was the reason she referred to international bodies such as the APA and the World Health Organisation.
Haresh: You read the post mortem report as well as the police report and the caution statement by Ismanira, and comparing it with the definition of neglect you mentioned earlier, are there any links to any definition that can fit into the aspect of neglect?
Dr Noor Aishah: None can be linked with the definition of neglect. There is none.
Haresh: You have read three medical reports issued by the Selayang and Sungai Buloh Hospital. Was there anywhere in the reports that showed that Zayn was a neglected or abused child?
Dr Noor Aishah: There is not one word that points to that.
During proceedings today, Ismanira, an accounts clerk, looked composed in the dock during proceedings.
Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, also 30, who was acquitted of the charge, sat in the courtroom's public gallery with his mother and sibling.
The trial continues.
Haresh was assisted by co-lawyers Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.
The prosecution is represented by deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Nur Sabrina Zubairi.
On July 21, Ismanira was ordered by Syahliza to enter her defence on the charge after ruling that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against her.
Syahliza had ordered Ismanira to enter her defence for the charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act.
Ismanira is accused of being a person responsible for the care of Zayn and having allegedly neglected him in a manner likely to cause physical injury.
She is accused of committing the offence from 12pm on Dec 5, 2023, until about 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023, around the area of Block R, Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, up to a nearby stream.
Zayn was reported missing from Block R of the apartment on Dec 5, 2023 after Ismanira fetched him from school at 12.30pm.
His body was found a day later in the stream, about 200m from his home.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Increase tobacco tax to RM0.77 per stick in 2026 budget, says think tank
Malaysia's tobacco tax currently accounts for 58.6% of retail prices, below the World Health Organization's recommendation of 75%. (Pixabay pic) PETALING JAYA : A health think tank today called for the excise duties on cigarettes and other tobacco products to be raised to at least RM0.77 per stick in the next federal budget. Azrul Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said raising the excise tax would lift its share of the retail price to 61% and bring in an additional RM771.8 million in revenue. 'Malaysia spends an estimated RM16 billion annually treating smoking-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer,' he said in a statement. 'For every RM1 collected from tobacco excise duties, RM4 is spent on treating smoking-related diseases. We do not yet know how much will be spent on treating vape-related diseases.' Malaysia's tobacco tax currently accounts for 58.6% of retail prices, below the World Health Organization's recommendation of 75%. The excise rate has not been raised since September 2014, when it was increased from 28 sen to 40 sen per stick. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that the government is considering a hike. When announcing the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said the government would broaden its 'pro-health' tax beyond sugary products to cover tobacco, vapes and alcohol as well. He said the expanded tax framework aimed not only to increase revenue, but more critically, to encourage behavioural change and curb the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Separately, Azrul said the ban on the open display of cigarettes, vape and e-cigarettes under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 also needed to be carried out. He said enforcement had been delayed from April to October, allowing continued open sales. 'Experience from countries such as Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Australia with the display ban in place has shown that it works to reduce smoking initiation, which is common during adolescence,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Where compassion meets clinical excellence
Dr Nicole Gan Wei Wei (left) and Dr Angus Ong Qi Chwen are both graduates of Taylor's University's Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. PETALING JAYA : What drives someone to become a doctor today when the pressure is high, the systems are complex, and the path is anything but easy? For Dr Nicole Gan Wei Wei and Dr Angus Ong Qi Chwen, it was the desire to serve. One chose the hospital frontlines, and the other took a path into global health research. But both journeys began with the same foundation: Taylor's University's Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. Training ground for clinical confidence The MBBS curriculum unfolds in two phases: a strong scientific foundation in the first two years, followed by immersive clinical rotations in the final three years. Students train at accredited teaching hospitals and healthcare centres, and by Year 3 are certified as First Responders with essential emergency skills. 'The clinical postings helped me grow into someone who could work under pressure and still focus on delivering safe, quality care,' said Gan, now serving as a junior doctor in the Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) department at a public hospital. Nurturing doctors who understand the person behind the illness Medical training at Taylor's University goes beyond diagnosing symptoms; it is about understanding the multifaceted lives of patients. Students engage in rural health outreach, urban clinics, and simulations that emphasise empathy, cultural competence, and communication. 'When we did outreach in low-income communities, I realised how many people did not understand basic health terms. It changed how I explain things to my patients now: always in ways they can relate to,' Gan shared. These are the qualities that a doctor retains long after training, and it makes all the difference in how care is delivered to patients. Career paths as unique as the graduates themselves After graduating in 2021, Ong took an unconventional path by becoming a health research associate. Since then, he has co-led a global digital health study and contributed to several clinical trials to improve chronic disease management. During his internal medicine posting, Ong followed the care of an elderly woman with multiple chronic conditions. Her repeated hospital admissions were primarily due to low health literacy and limited access to primary care. 'This experience revealed how social and structural factors profoundly affect health outcomes. It also sparked my interest in preventive care, digital tools, and community-based strategies to support patients beyond hospital walls.' Meanwhile, Gan continues to deepen her clinical experience and plans to specialise in paediatrics. For her, the hospital is where she can make the most difference. Associate Professor Dr Ganesh Ramachandran says the MBBS programme integrates scientific knowledge, clinical skills and humanitarian values. A programme designed for a changing world Taylor's University's comprehensive MBBS programme aligns with the practice of modern medicine, emphasising evidence-based and empathetic care. It supports students preparing for international medical licensing examinations through multiple e-learning resources and instructional methods, promoting independent and lifelong learning, while fostering resilience and leadership. 'We aim to produce well-rounded physicians who are competent, compassionate, and globally minded,' said Associate Professor Dr Ganesh Ramachandran, Head of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University. To achieve this, the programme integrates emerging fields such as digital health, evidence-based medicine, and artificial intelligence into its curriculum, ensuring that students stay ahead of the curve. Join Taylor's Open Day on Aug 16 & 17 to explore how a future in medicine can begin with the proper foundation. Applications are now open for the September intake.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
6,144 teen pregnancies recorded in over 2 years, Dewan hears
Deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad said a 2020 study cited contributing factors to teenage pregnancies such as peer pressure and media influence, particularly exposure to sexually explicit content. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A total of 6,144 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2023 and March this year, says deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad. Citing health ministry statistics on cases registered at government health facilities, she said 2,737 cases were reported in 2023, 2,752 in 2024, and 655 in the first quarter of 2025. Noraini said that a 2015 study published in the Medical Journal of Malaysia identified limited access to comprehensive reproductive health education as a major factor, which left many teenagers unaware of how to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancies. 'This finding is also supported by the 2019 Study on Adolescent Risk and Protective Factors for Reproductive and Social Health by the National Population and Family Development Board,' Bernama reported her as saying in the Dewan Rakyat during question time today. She was responding to Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who had asked about the number of cases, growth rates and main causes of teenage pregnancies in each state from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025. Noraini said a 2020 study published in the Malaysian Journal of Psychology also cited other contributing factors such as peer pressure and media influence, particularly exposure to sexually explicit content. 'From a socioeconomic perspective, poverty, school dropouts and the lack of job opportunities have also been identified as factors that heighten teenagers' vulnerability to this risk,' she said. Responding to a supplementary question from Doris on a national action plan to address the issue, Noraini said the ministry's initiatives include developing the Reproductive and Social Health Education module and an action plan to tackle underage marriages. 'This module covers reproductive health knowledge, decision-making skills, character development and personal safety from sexual harassment and abuse,' she said.
