19-05-2025
Prosecution closes case in Zayn Rayyan child neglect trial
The body of six-year-old Zayn Rayyan Zaim Ikhwan was found in a stream near his home on Dec 6, 2023, one day after he was reported missing. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : The prosecution today closed its case in the Zayn Rayyan Zaim Ikhwan child neglect trial following a 20-day hearing that began on Feb 4.
The prosecution called 28 witnesses, the last being investigating officer Hafizee Ismail, in its bid to establish a prima facie case against the boy's parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
Deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed trial judge Syahliza Warnoh that the prosecution would be offering 23 witnesses whom it did not call to testify to the couple's defence team.
Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan said the defence had already identified seven people to take the stand.
Syahliza then directed parties to file written submissions on May 23 and their respective replies by June 6.
'I will deliver my decision on July 21,' she said. Syahliza also said the defence would have to begin its case on the same day if she ruled that a prima facie case had been established.
She also fixed July 22 and 23 as well as another five days beginning Aug 4 for the trial to continue.
Earlier today, Hafizee denied under cross-examination that he had briefed Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain that the victim's body had defensive wounds.
'It (the information) could have come from other members of the investigating team,' he said.
Haresh then referred the witness to a Dec 7, 2023 online media report where Shuhaily told a news conference that there were defensive wounds on Zayn Rayyan's body, which contradicted a post-mortem report prepared by forensics expert Dr Rohayu Shahar Adnan.
Haresh: Is Shuhaily's statement to the media a contradiction of the report?
Hafizee: Yes, based on the post-mortem report.
The witness said Shuhaily could have briefed the media based on a preliminary report.
Ismanira and Zaim Ikhwan, both aged 30, are charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause physical injury to the victim near Block R of Apartment Idaman in Damansara Damai and a nearby river between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
They are charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of RM50,000, or both upon conviction.
Zayn Rayyan's body was found in a stream near his home on Dec 6, 2023, a day after he was reported missing.
